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Oct 10, 2008 5:00 pm US/Central
Halloween Display Doesn't Scare Arlington Vandals
Arezow Doost
ARLINGTON (CBS 11 News) ―
A North Texas family is warning their neighbors about a group of vandals they say destroyed and stole their Halloween decorations. The family had just put up the decorations in the 1900 block of Westover Drive in Arlington.
As of Friday afternoon, the Paytes still had some decorations up. The family says they went all out on Halloween decorations for their little girl and now they're out hundreds of dollars.
Rebecca Paytes black cat and Halloween trees weren't even up for a whole day. "Our decorations are deflated. Our cat is falling off the roof and its' paws laying on the floor and my trees are gone," she explained.
Tuesday night the Paytes heard something outside. When the couple went to investigate they discovered a mess in their yard.
"How in the world could people actually do that," Rebecca asked. "They are not their decorations. They [the decorations] are not hurting anybody. Why in the world would you destroy something that is not yours?"
Other homes in the neighborhood have ghosts and spooky pumpkins on display but they weren't touched.
Arlington police say normally they hear about vandals targeting holiday decorations around Thanksgiving and Christmas – not Halloween. "Anytime you put something out in your front yard, whether it be decorations, flowers, or whatever it happens to be, there is an opportunity for somebody that is wanting to be mischievous or do something to tear up your ornaments or decorations," said Arlington Police Department Lt. Blake Miller. The Paytes say what makes the vandalism so hard is, the display was a big deal for their 3-year-old daughter and this is their first home. "[It's the] first holiday I get to decorate for and that's my memory - is of people destroying my stuff," Rebecca said with disgust.
To keep the same thing from happening to other, the family has gone door-to-door warning neighbors. One neighbor told CBS 11 News that since vandals destroyed her mailbox, she won't leave anything outside.
The couple is even looking into get home surveillance cameras so they'll know who is on their property.
The Paytes are offering a reward for anyone with information.
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