Man Allegedly Caught on Surveillance Camera Stealing Alabama Family's Christmas Decorations

Tripp Sullivan said he woke up to an empty lawn.

ByABC News
November 30, 2015, 5:27 PM

— -- A home-security system allegedly caught a man stealing Christmas decorations from an Alabama family's front lawn and porch Friday.

Tripp Sullivan of Mobile told ABC News today his surveillance camera captured a bald man in a blue polo shirt and jeans unplugging Christmas lights on his front porch at around 3:20 a.m. Friday. The man also allegedly stole two homemade Christmas trees, two lanterns from Pottery Barn and an inflatable Santa Claus and Dora the Explorer.

"I have a three-year-old who is really upset that Dora is gone," Sullivan said. "But she did say although Dora is gone, he can't steal her Christmas. So she kind of put it in perspective for us."

The footage appears to show the man walking around the Sullivan's front yard and approaching their brightly lit front door adorned with a white wreath. He then proceeds to unplug the lights surrounding the door.

The family lives in the Regency Park neighborhood, which has been experiencing several break-ins within the last week, according to Sullivan.

"It's in an established part of town," Sullivan said. "We rarely have any problems."

Sullivan said unidentified people broke into his neighbors' cars and garages. But the father of three said his family was particularly disturbed with their footage.

"It's just weird that he took enough time to unplug all the Christmas lights and plug them back in," Sullivan said. "It's just really messed up that he'd take homemade decorations, too."

Sullivan said his wife plans on making more holiday decor when she has free time. In the meantime, the family is thankful for what they have left.

"I think the surveillance footage has helped," Sullivan said. "We've had a bunch of people tell us they've sent our story to friends."

The Sullivans said they filed a police report with the Mobile Police Department and are hoping their decorations will be recovered.

Police have not responded to ABC News’ requests for comment.