CCTV has captured the brazen moment a ‘Grinch’ stole a Christmas tree from a community hub.
A man was caught on camera stealing the decorated tree from Boston Lithuanian Community Centre in Lincolnshire on Wednesday evening.
The theft at Fountain Place occurred at approximately 9:40pm, according to CCTV footage reviewed by volunteers.
Jurate Matulioniene, chairwoman of the group, explained that they only discovered the tree was missing when they arrived at the hub the following day.
The volunteers had purchased and adorned the tree just two weeks earlier.
“Someone took away our community spirit, that we wanted to share with other communities,” Ms Matulioniene said.
She is urging the individual responsible to consider his actions and bring back the festive decoration.
“I think it must make you happier,” she said, addressing the thief directly.
The individual responsible is urged to consider his actions and bring back the tree
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Despite the disappointment, the volunteer group has shown remarkable generosity of spirit.
Ms Matulioniene’s husband offered a particularly compassionate perspective on the incident.
“My husband said ‘maybe this man needed this tree more than us’,” she shared.
The appeal comes in the hope that the Christmas spirit might prompt the man to reconsider and restore what the community had worked together to create.
The theft took place on Fountain Place in Boston, Lincolnshire
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The local Boston community has rallied behind the group, with one resident even offering to fund the cost of a new tree.
Posting on social media, Ms Matulioniene wrote: “Today I received a email that truly touched my heart: ‘Good evening to you. I have just heard that your Christmas tree has sadly been stolen.
“‘Please get another one for yourselves before Christmas and I will pay for it.
“‘No one’s Christmas should be stolen and we will repair the sadness this act has undoubtedly caused. And restore hope and happiness. Kind regards and a Merry Christmas, Vic.’
“Thank you, Vic, for your kindness and generosity! You reminded us that community, compassion, and goodwill still shine brighter than any Grinch.”