Kid gets apology letter from thief after drunken reindeer display theft
This Grinch may have stole Christmas, but at least they were somewhat apologetic about it.
9-year-old Chiara Velardi from Sydney, Australia, woke up to find her much loved light-up reindeer stolen from her front lawn, reported 7 News.
It turned out a carload of thieves had stopped by the house and nicked the display, which was all caught on CCTV camera. But just like Scrooge -- they soon saw the light. So to speak.
While relatively inexpensive at A$75 (US$55), the four-year-old reindeer display had sentimental value to the family. It had been there for half of the Christmases of young Velardi's life, and the family was considering ending their displays due to the theft.
"You shouldn't do that anymore. And you say sorry to my dad, my mum and me," she told the thieves via a news outlet.
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But then, an anonymous handwritten apology note, which claims to be from one of the thieves, was sent to the family. They blamed their drunkenness for the theft.
"To who ever's Christmas I destroyed. I'm very sorry for taking your raindeer [sic]. I was unaware of my actions due to being drunk," the note reads.
"Don't feel like you shouldn't put up any more lights because they were wonderful. I hope this letter makes you feel better. I'm so sorry, once again I promise to never do this again. Please feel safe and have a nice Christmas!"
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Attached to the letter was A$100 (US$74), to help pay for the now-gone Christmas decorations.
"It makes me feel more safe, and my dad and me can put up some more decorations without being too scared about them being taken away," Velardi told 7 News.
The note was delivered by two men, who had recognised their friend in the CCTV footage and urged them to apologise.
The family accepted the apology and won't be taking the matter any further. But they will move their displays in at night, just in case.
'Tis the season to forgive, after all.
