There seems to be a Grinch or Grinches at work in Cranbrook.

This month, there have been at least three incidents where Christmas decorations were stolen from Cranbrook yards, according to RCMP.

It’s the first year there has been a pattern of such thefts: RCMP said there were no thefts of Christmas decorations in 2012 in Cranbrook or Kimberley.

The complaints started in early December when residents of Candy Cane Lane reported several decorations were stolen and others destroyed overnight on Dec. 1.

Police believe a small pickup truck is associated with that crime, possibly a Datsun with two youths.

Otherwise known as 25th Avenue South, Candy Cane Lane has been a popular spot to see Christmas lights in Cranbrook for decades.

Still, Candy Cane Lane remains decorated for the Christmas season, and residents continue to invite folks to enjoy the season by visiting the culdesac.

Meanwhile, RCMP have had reports of a replica Eiffel tower stolen from a yard on 16th Street South.

And early on Dec. 9, a three-foot wooden snowman was stolen from Mount Pyramid Crescent.

“The snowman was handmade and painted and has significant sentimental value to its owners,” said Cst. Katie Forgeron.

In another incident, 3A Street resident Debbie Sinclair found an ornamental deer missing from her front yard on Dec. 5.

“My deer got legs and walked off,” she said. “I knew its head could move, but I didn’t know its legs could.”

Despite looking around, Sinclair said there has been no sign of the decoration.

“At first I thought, maybe it’s just kids who moved it down the street but it hasn’t shown up,” she said.

She’s not sure what would lead someone to steal Christmas decorations.

“I think it was mean spirited,” said Sinclair. “It’s kind of sad but it hasn’t ruined my Christmas spirit.”

If anyone has information about the theft of Christmas decorations in Cranbrook, please contact Cranbrook RCMP at 250-489-3471 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).