Art Mercurio's done decorating for Christmas.
For years, the Collingswood, N.J. home he and his wife Irene own along King Avenue has shone as bright as Rudolph's nose. But after repeatedly becoming the victim of burglars and vandals -- they're calling it quits.
"It's a hell of a thing -- you have to get up in the morning and you wonder 'Geeze, I wonder if they took anything,'" the man said.
The couple first had their run-in with a Grinch in 2003 when $800 worth of lawn decorations were stolen. Ironically, they were watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas when the burglary happened.
Collingswood Police were able to catch and convict the suspect -- who was selling the ornaments for drugs.
Over the years since, other incidents led Art to bolt down the plastic decorations and lights, but then this year vandals decided to employ some scissors.
"They cut these off of the rope lights," Art said holding sliced power cords.
These new snipping Grinches hit the Mercurio's house twice over the past two weeks causing another $250 in damage, police said.
"Anyone who does this is not in the right frame of mind," Irene said.
Now their Christmas spirit is broken and they're out an additional $800 after installing a burglar alarm.
Authorities don't have any leads, but are hoping public pressure will keep the vandals at bay.
Anyone with information are asked to call Collingswood Police at 856.854.1901.
