Real-Life Grinch Steals Church's Gifts

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.

There is low and then there is LOW. Stirling Anderson of Oregon is allegedly in the latter category and will be receiving a Costco-size box of coal in his stocking this year. Anderson, owner of a security firm, allegedly tried to pull off a church theft. Not only did he steal from the church, but he stole gifts intended for the poor, said Sgt. David Thompson of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, The Oregonian reports.

Then Anderson, owner of Northwest Merchant Services re-gifted them, which isn't illegal in and of itself, though certainly considered tacky.

And go figure, one of the stolen items was "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," by Dr. Seuss. Maybe Anderson didn't realize that it wasn't intended as a how-to guide. Anderson is also accused of stealing debit cards to grocery stores, intended to help the indigent feed their families.

So just how was Grinch Anderson caught for the church theft? Anderson, as well as Sheldon McMillan and David Smith, were seen by an employee of Oregon Episcopal School taking gifts out of the building. In addition, clients of the St. Matthews Lutheran Church and the Portland Golf Club had recently reported thefts from their buildings despite no signs of a break in. It didn't take long for police to obtain a search warrant. Once inside, police found over a dozen laptops, cameras and flat-screen televisions totaling over $100,000 in value. Can you say felony?

Felony theft or grand theft is theft or larceny over approximately $500, or some other prescribed monetary limit that varies from state to state.

If convicted, Grinch Anderson and his little helpers may be spending the new year at Camp Fed.