Thieves can't steal Christmas spirit

CARROLLWOOD -- Bright draping Christmas lights and oversized candy canes share space in Randy Rickard's Pennington Road yard with colorful homemade figurines. A trio of praying angels, are perched on the roof, not far from a jolly Santa Claus face and a sign urging "Peace On Earth."

With so little space to spare, it's hard to imagine that something's missing. However, by the driveway stands a red donation box and a reward sign asking for the return of stolen decorations or the identity of the thieves.

Rickard, a 52-year-old, semiretired building contractor who has earned a bit of local renown for his fanciful Christmas displays had this year's exhibit up by Nov. 21.

But the satisfaction was short-lived. Three days after Thanksgiving his wife, Cheryl, went to pick up the newspaper and immediately noticed that a "God Bless the U.S.A." sign propped up by two smiling elves was gone. Also missing were a couple of candy canes and a lollipop. But loss of his proudest addition, the homemade sign, hurt the most. The theft left him feeling angry and cold.

Rickard figures he spent about $50 on materials to build the four stolen items, which he valued at $365.

"You can't imagine the times we're in people would steal a God Bless America sign," he said this week. "It's distressing.

"We've had things stolen before and got it back," he said. "This was a little different. They took the time to undo the (electrical) cords instead of ripping it out."

Christmas decoration thefts are common, said Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Spokesman Lt. Rod Reder. Most of the thieves are teenagers bent on causing havoc, he said, although adult crooks may be attracted by the prospect of selling fancier decorations.

Neighbor Thomas "PJ" Zavada said he loses something every year from his yard display, which is decorated this year with a manger scene surrounded by angels and elves.

Nothing has been taken so far this year, he said, but in previous years candy canes and other objects were stolen, including an angel. "We think every year we're not going to put it out but we do anyway."

Zavada blames the thefts on "teenagers with nothing else to do."

Now, Rickard's display is trip-wired to an alarm system. At night, big yard lights illuminate an already brightly lit house. Despite telling her it is unnecessary, his wife, Cheryl, watches the decorations for potential vandals until 2 and 3 a.m.

They decided not to go to the police. Filing police reports "just doesn't do any good," Rickard said.

People have responded to his reward sign with small donations, but on Wednesday the elves and their patriotic message were still missing. If the money doesn't lead to the return of his decorations, Rickard promises to spend it on the public, perhaps to buy candy for passers-by.

One bright spot for Rickard: A 13-year-old who responded to his reward appeal.

After years of being wowed by his displays, Andee Rich of Tampa wrote a letter to Rickard and his wife telling them she was saddened by the thefts. She apologized for not being able to give more money. Rickard said his wife wrote her back and returned the donation of $2.15.

"It's things like that (that make) you do it," he said of Rich's gift. "There's good people, there's bad people."

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