Sonora Grinch Almost Steals Christmas

Sonora, CA – It is still a mystery as to just who ran off with a big bear holiday decoration from the Valdes family’s front yard.

Last Saturday during stormy weather, Dan Valdes decided to turn off his Christmas lights outside of his home on Crystal Falls Drive and that is when the Grinch struck. The next morning Dan’s wife notice the bear decoration missing from the front yard and it is not just any decoration.

“It was my son’s gift from my mother when he was first born four years ago. It was for his first Christmas,” says Valdes. He adds, “And low and behold, a gentleman just down the street was shocked to find it in the back of his truck and he returned it to us last night. I was absolutely thrilled and am very appreciative of the fact that it was brought back. It does show there is still some Christmas Spirit out there.”

Valdes did report the theft to the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office.

Click here for a map of area where the bear was taken.