“It’s such an unsettling feeling”: Grinch breaks into Red Deer home while family sleeps, steals cash, iPad

EDMONTON – A Christmas Grinch has stolen the holiday spirit from a Red Deer family.

RCMP said a house in the Garden Heights neighbourhood of Red Deer was broken into sometime late Friday night and into early Saturday morning.

Police said the suspects entered the house through a garage door, stole cash and an iPad before fleeing in the homeowner’s Toyota Corolla.

The homeowner, Brigitta Sulyak, was sleeping in the house at the time with her two children, ages 19 months and 12 years.

Sulyak woke up at around 7 a.m. Saturday to a text message alerting her that her debit card had been used.

“I noticed a few things off right away,” she said. “I couldn’t find my purse. I thought maybe I left it in the car. (I) go to the garage and the garage door is open and there’s no car.

“The panic sets in. Something’s not right.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The panic sets in. Something's not right."

Worried someone was still in the home, Sulyak ran back upstairs to check on her kids.

“It’s awful, it really is you know,” Sulyak said, getting choked up. “Somebody is in the house. It’s such an unsettling feeling.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's awful, it really is you know," Sulyak said, getting choked up. "Somebody is in the house. It's such an unsettling feeling."

View image in full screen

Sulyak said the thief stole a few Christmas presents from under the tree, including an iPad and gift cards. A baby bag and car seat were also taken.

“It’s not a good feeling at all. It’s horrible, it’s horrible. There’s mixed emotions, there’s anger. Who would do this to me?”

She said her 12-year-old daughter hasn’t been able to sleep in her own room since the break-and-enter because she is scared. The girl is also scared to be home without her mother.

“She’s quite affected by it. She does a paper route around town and she cancelled that because she’s too scared to go,” Sulyak said.

“She doesn’t leave my side… she’s terrified.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "She doesn't leave my side… she's terrified."

Surveillance pictures from the gas station appear to show a female suspect entering the store and purchasing some items with the stolen debit card. The unknown driver of the Corolla remained in the vehicle.

The female suspect is described as Caucasian and wearing a white shirt under a dark hoodie. She was wearing a long chain necklace and blue jeans. The suspect has long brown hair with blonde ends that were worn in a ponytail.

RCMP said while the footage only shows two individuals, there is the possibility for more suspects.

“At this point, it’s not limited to two suspects. There were no witnesses or video footage of the break-and-enter so it’s unknown who was involved in that,” an RCMP spokesperson said.

Sgt. Rob Marsollier said there are several things homeowners can do to ensure they do not become victims of opportunity.

“We request that people do not leave their keys in the vehicle, remove their valuables and ensure their doors are locked at night before they go to bed,” he said.

Police said the stolen items, including the vehicle, have not yet been found.

View image in full screen

Anyone with information is asked to call Red Deer RCMP or Crime Stoppers.