The Grinch steals Christmas in Michigan

August 24, 2010

A Michigan-based childcare company that had been collecting gifts for the annual work Christmas party has had the festive spirit snuffed out by a thief.

The Pittsfield Township headquarters of Gretchen's House Inc. child care centre were raided by thieves over the weekend who stole a trailer containing thousands of dollars worth of Christmas gifts.

The company had been collecting the gifts for the annual Christmas party where 150 employees can use free gift certificates to buy items for family members. According to the police report, the stolen items included toys, clothing, electronics and household items, with a total value of between $2,500 and $3,000. The trailer was valued at $3,900.

Gretchen Preston, who operates the centre, shops for the gifts all year long and says her employees look forward to the annual party all year.

Ms Preston said, "It's certainly not going to be the party we had before. We don't have anything to put out on our tables. I have no idea what we are going to do.”

The company has seven childcare centers in Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township. Lisa Lemble, the operations manager at the company said, “Many employees depend on the annual event. Some bring their children to pick out items.”

Police do not currently have any leads on who the Grinch may be.