Source URL: http://www.nbc5.com/news/10594274/detail.html

[color="Red"]'Grinches' Accused Of Stealing Presents

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. -- Police said an East Chicago couple who literally tried to steal Christmas was arrested Friday.

The couple allegedly trailed UPS trucks and then snatched holiday gifts left on doorsteps, NBC5's Alex Perez reported. Authorities were alerted to the scheme when a delivery truck driver noticed he was being followed and reported it to police.

Police said they raided an apartment Friday at 4849 Gladiola Ave., where they found tens of thousands of dollars in stolen goods.

Among the stolen items were a baby's first piggy bank, dolls, computers, blankets, jewelry, clothes and cameras -- most of them Christmas gifts.

"There were Christmas wrapping papers ripped off packages from grandmas and aunts and uncles," said Nick D'Angelo with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. "These are truly the Grinches that stole Christmas from a number of little kids who live in this area."

The alleged thieves were identified as Marcus McCoy and his girlfriend, Tanya White. Prosecutors did not immediately have details of what charges would be filed against the pair.

The theft ring stretched from Flossmoor and Lansing in Illinois, all the way to Hammond and East Chicago, Ind., according to police.

Lake County, Ind., Sheriff Ray Dominguez said the couple were trying to fund their drug habit.

"The holidays mean nothing to them. All they're concerned about is their greed, their money and their drugs," he said.

Police said McCoy and White also allegedly broke into a car and used stolen credit cards. A detailed list of charges against them was pending.

Authorities said they want to work to match the stolen items with their owners. Anyone who believes they've been a victim should call the Lake County Sheriff's Department at 219-755-3400.

Those who live in the neighborhood where police raided the apartment were in disbelief.

"Its frightening to think that somebody would do that around Christmas time," said one woman.

As of this posting there are 83 news articles for this particular story available for perusal via Google News. What's interesting to note is that the vast majority of these stories fail to provide pictures of the perps.