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 Stewart’s Berry Patch on Oldfield Road.
“It was raining hard when I went outside,” Stewart said. “The Grinch usually comes down at night, but he was gone. Who would do that?”
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,” said neighbour Kailyn Sherk. “We live just down the road and go berry picking at Stewart’s at least a few times every season. My two kids are very sad to see the Grinch missing as it’s been a highlight for them when it goes up each year.”
That same day, Stewart reported the incident to Central Saanich Police. Since the Grinch vanished, no leads have surfaced.
Stewart’s 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.
“Our kids love Mr. Grinch,” Fox said. “I 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.”
When a photo of the missing 18-foot-tall Grinch was posted online, someone asked: “Are we certain that it wasn't the wind that stole Mr. Grinch?"
Fox is sure it wasn’t. “His ropes were cut after he was deflated for the night,” he said.
Stewart says the Grinch thief stole Christmas from the community.
“At 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.”
To the person who stole their holiday decor, Stewart has this to say: “You'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 Stewart’s Berry Patch at (250) 652-6768.
