Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Police recover missing Christmas decorations

Its the season for giving, but two Gurdon men are being accused of doing just the opposite.

Joshua Williams, 21, and Rodney Hines, 20, both of 122 N. Front St., were arrested by Gurdon Police on Tuesday, Nov. 28, after Christmas decorations stolen from displays around town were found in the mens residence, according to a report on file at the Gurdon Police Department.

According to the report, approximately $60 worth of decorations were stolen from U.S. Bank on Main Street. The decorations included a white polar bear and a four foot Christmas tree.

Decorations owned by the City of Gurdon were also stolen from three sites along the holiday trail of lights. The report lists the stolen items as a wiseman and Mary from the median of Main Street near the intersection of U.S. 67, bulbs from another wiseman, approximately 50 bulbs from a light display around the Hoo-Hoo monument on First Street, and a lighted igloo which was located on a lot adjacent to the Gurdon Times office on Second Street.

Officer Chris Russell of the Gurdon Police Department and Marshall Don Childres, action on a tip went to the home of Williams and Hines in search of the stolen decorations. The informant reportedly told police that the two men had been bragging about the thefts.

Russell said one of then men admitted to having the lights when questioned, but the other continually denied the allegations. The lights were located in the home and in an adjacent garage, Russell said.

Williams and Hines were each issued citations for theft of property, a misdemeanor.

Gurdon Recorder/Treasurer Tambra Childres, who coordinates the citys Christmas light program, said all of the lights have been returned to their original places in the displays.

This is not the first time Gurdon police have had to investigate an incident involving the Christmas lights. Last year, two men were arrested after running over several displays with a pickup truck. The men were caught and made full restitution to the city for the damage.