Grinch steals 30 trees worth $5000 from Aunt Leah’s Place in North Vancouver

Some Grinch-like thieves stole Christmas along with 30 Christmas trees worth $5,000 from the Londsdale Quay lot of Aunt Leah’s Place in North Vancouver.

Assistant manager Paul Stewart says the thieves broke into the lot in the early morning of Dec. 2.

Stewart says it appears they tried to cut through the fence and wiggle through the gate to get in. They then took off with the trees and other equipment from the lot.

Stewart says the thieves knew what trees to go after and took 30 noble firs, the most expensive type of tree in the lot that goes for as much as $16 a foot.

Police attended, but there are no leads in the case. Stewart says there is no surveillance video, but the thieves would have needed a big car to transport the 30 trees.

The theft is a big hit for the organization’s fundraising effort this holiday season.

Aunt Leah’s Place works with foster kids, in particular those who are aging out of government care and helps them learn essential life skills, like dealing with a landlord or opening a bank account.

“There is a Grinch around, I guess,” Stewart said. “It sure hurts. It could have been useful, but we will move on and try to sell the rest of the trees.”