A notorious thief of holiday joy has been apprehended and is no longer able to steal the Christmas spirit from Mississippians.
In a humorous social media post, the Pearl Police Department announced that it arrested the Grinch after a high-speed chase. The Grinch, out on parole from his previous run-in with law enforcement four years ago, had resumed his crime spree by stealing Christmas lights from city buildings and the town tree.
It appears the Magnolia State’s Grinch did not follow in the footsteps of his cinematic counterpart as his heart did not grow three times larger. Instead of letting the cheerful season alter his perspective of the holidays, the Grinch doubled down and nabbed presents meant for local children from Toys for Tots.
On Thursday, a concerned citizen spotted the Grinch making his getaway and contacted 911. Responding officers discovered that the Grinch had stolen McGruff the Crime Dog’s mini cruiser to aid in his escape.
A city-wide pursuit ensued, with all units responding to apprehend the green suspect. After being cornered, the Grinch abandoned his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
Officers utilized a less-than-lethal taser to subdue the Grinch, taking him into custody. Following the arrest, Pearl police recovered all stolen items, including the presents for Toys for Tots and the Christmas lights meant for the town tree. The Grinch has been charged with:
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- Felony fleeing
- Reckless and careless driving
- Failure to yield to blue lights
- Destruction of property
- Business burglary
- Bah humbug Christmas spirit
“I am thrilled with the outstanding efforts of our police department and the citizens who helped bring this notorious criminal to justice,” said Mayor Jake Windham. “Their bravery and dedication to our community have ensured a joyous holiday season for our residents, especially the children who would have been affected by the Grinch’s heartless actions.”