Thieves bring an ugly start to holiday season Sayreville police have three reports of decoration thefts already BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer As the holiday spirit is beginning to find its way into the hearts of many, it has been stolen from one local family. Dennis Whitford spent Saturday afternoon starting the process of decorating his home, in the Parlin section of Sayreville, for the holidays. With help from his young sons, he installed six inflatable Christmas figures on the front lawn. After a long day, Whitford took his family out for dinner, returning around 11 p.m. When he awoke Sunday morning, the decorations were gone without a trace. It was as if the Grinch had paid a visit to the Whitford home. "It's just heartbreaking to see all your hard work being taken away like that," he said. Whitford lost a brother in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack, and said he has not been the same since. For a few years, he simply did not feel compelled to put up holiday decorations at all. For the sake of his three sons - Mark, 5, Dennis, 3, and Tyler, 7 months - he decided to get back to his tradition of trimming their home in a show of holiday cheer. "It was like a kick in the stomach again," Whitford said. "I try to do the right thing for my family … and I don't even want to be bothered putting up a Christmas tree right now. That's how disgusted I am." Whitford's children were also upset by the thievery, and by seeing the disappointment on their father's face. All Whitford could tell them was that bad people had done a bad thing. The inflatable decorations, ranging from $89 to $250 apiece, were purchased over the course of several years because of their expense, Whitford said. Putting them up had become a fun family activity, culminating on the day after Thanksgiving when Whitford's parents would visit and the official first lighting would take place. Now, Whitford said, the few lights that are in place will be the extent of his display this year. "I just don't have any motivation to do anything else right now," Whitford said. "I'm done." According to police in Old Bridge and Sayreville, both of whom patrol Parlin, what happened to the Whitfords is not unique. "He's not the only one," Sayreville Detective Mathew Bandurski said. "We got, I think, three [theft reports] over the weekend." Another incident took place in Parlin, and a third was in the Melrose section of Sayreville, Bandurski said. Old Bridge Police Lt. Bill Moser said yesterday that he was not aware of any incidents in the township yet this year. "This time of the year, kids usually vandalize," Moser said. "If you catch them, you're lucky." Both Bandurski and Moser cited a string of incidents two years ago, when vandals stole 21 baby Jesus statues from Nativity scenes on residents' lawns in both towns. Crosses were also defaced, Bandurski said. The suspects were arrested in those incidents. Whitford said he doubts that the culprits in this case will be caught, but he plans to inform a neighbor up the block about the incident, since he is another resident who invests a large amount of time and effort in his display. "You prevent it by not doing it, I guess," Whitford said. "That's the sad thing." According to Bandurski, the best way to prevent such incidents is for residents to call the police right away if they see any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. "These kids just don't know what to do with themselves," Bandurski said. In past years, Whitford said, vandals deflated his Halloween decorations, but left the figures in place on his lawn. Since they were stolen this time, Whitford said he suspects those responsible may be selling them on eBay or elsewhere - an act less mischievous, and more criminal. "You just wonder," Whitford said. "It's amazing that people could do something like that."