Ian Stewart and his family were getting into the Christmas spirit this holiday season, only for a Saanichton Grinch to steal it away from them.

Sometime after midnight on Wednesday (Dec.18), their giant inflatable Grinch was stolen from their front yard at StewartB次元官网网址檚 Berry Patch on Oldfield Road. 

B次元官网网址淚t was raining hard when I went outside,B次元官网网址� Stewart said. B次元官网网址淭he Grinch usually comes down at night, but he was gone. Who would do that?B次元官网网址�   

The Stewarts have had the inflatable decor for over five years, which usually goes up first thing in the morning until 9 a.m. so the children get to see him on their way to school. The Grinch rises again between 4 p.m. and midnight.

"I am so sad for them,B次元官网网址� said neighbour Kailyn Sherk. B次元官网网址淲e live just down the road and go berry picking at StewartB次元官网网址檚 at least a few times every season. My two kids are very sad to see the Grinch missing as itB次元官网网址檚 been a highlight for them when it goes up each year.B次元官网网址�

That same day, Stewart reported the incident to Central Saanich Police. Since the Grinch vanished, no leads have surfaced. 

StewartB次元官网网址檚 nephew, Clayton Fox, owner of Silver Rill Corn in Saanichton, has stepped up to offer 100 cobs of corn for the safe return of the Grinch.  

B次元官网网址淥ur kids love Mr. Grinch,B次元官网网址� Fox said. B次元官网网址淚 drive them up there multiple times every Christmas to see him. Ian is quite upset because he loves this Grinch and was even making sure he was safe from the wind that night.B次元官网网址�

When a photo of the missing 18-foot-tall Grinch was posted online, someone asked: B次元官网网址淎re we certain that it wasn't the wind that stole Mr. Grinch?" 

Fox is sure it wasnB次元官网网址檛. B次元官网网址淗is ropes were cut after he was deflated for the night,B次元官网网址� he said.  

Stewart says the Grinch thief stole Christmas from the community. 

B次元官网网址淎t this time of the year, we have a lot of kids who come down here at night before they go to bed; even neighbours from Tanner Ridge.B次元官网网址�    

To the person who stole their holiday decor, Stewart has this to say: B次元官网网址淵ou're a mean one, Mr. Grinch thief, but just please bring him back and I'll turn a blind eye."

Anyone who has any information about the missing Grinch can call StewartB次元官网网址檚 Berry Patch at (250) 652-6768.