Decorations stolen from Prince William County family's large outdoor Christmas display

A real-life Grinch has stolen Christmas decorations and much more from a home and community in Prince William County.

This Christmas will be one to remember for all the wrong reasons for this Lake Ridge family who said a thief came at night and stole hundreds of dollars' worth of decorations. But beyond the display, the light show here is a traffic stopper and the annual holiday tradition for them is now stained.

The family said five Christmas lawn inflatables were snatched from the front lawn of their home.

"I was sad and mad and I felt really bad for my pit bull because she liked the decorations," said 6-year-old Mackenzie Drake.

The popular Countdown Snowman, Cowboy Snowman and Motorcycle Santa decorations have been showstoppers here for more than a decade.

"I was shocked and a little upset," said Jennifer Drake.

The holiday heist happened a week ago. Mackenzie's older brother, 9-year-old James, suspects the Christmas display's highlights are gone for good.

"I really want them back, but they're probably not going to give us them back," he said.

Many of the stolen decorations were replaced, but for the family, it's not the same.

"It just concerns me because it's not just taking the Christmas spirit away from us as far as stealing our decorations, but the numerous people that drive by and see the decorations that love them, enjoy them and just appreciate what we do as far as putting them out, it hurt a lot," said Jennifer.

Police said the popular inflatables go for at least a couple hundred dollars each on the black market.

"I don't know why they want to be a Grinch, but for some reason, they felt the need to do that and that is depriving people of their property," said Prince William County Police Officer Nathan Probus. "It is a crime. If the amount of it is over $200, it's a felony."

This display is a staple on this heavily-traveled roadway in this area.

The family said complete strangers have come forward offering replacement decorations.

In case you're wondering, there are more than 100 items out here in this Christmas display and the electric bill to keep them lighted is a whopping $200 a month.

Prince William County police are asking anyone with information about the stolen decorations to contact them.