CARLSBAD, Calif. (KGTV) — The Dooley family woke up Wednesday morning to some deflated holiday joy outside their home on Highland Drive.
"A lot of sadness. It really broke our heart, " said homeowner Gavin Dooley.
A check of the surveillance video revealed the culprit. Just before 3 a.m., a black SUV pulls up next to their home, as someone emerges from the passenger side and climbs over their four-foot gate. Moments later, the person throws himself onto a large inflatable of a Santa and his fish taco truck.
The scrooge tore through their yard, destroying all of their giant Christmas inflatables.
"Must have had a good pop on the first one. Second one, he jumps on it twice," said Dooley.
That inflatable was a 9-foot tall television, reflecting the images of a projector from the movie "A Christmas Story." The vandal then tackles the final inflatable, which sported North Pole penguins.
The end result: $600 dollars worth of inflatables destroyed.
"Pretty unrepairable. Just like a balloon, they’re popped. There's a huge tear in them," said Dooley.
Dooley, who has three children, says his youngest -- his 9-year-old son -- was the most distraught.
Also dismayed, some neighbors who bring their toddler girl to see the inflatables every day. That morning, she was nearly in tears.
"She kept saying, 'Porque? Why? Why would they do this?'" said Dooley.
It’s a question Dooley has asked himself. Why? And why at the end of a tough year when holiday cheer is so needed.
"We were hoping Christmas decorations would bring a lot of joy to people. This turns that joy into sadness," said Dooley.
Dooley would like to put up some smaller inflatables but is worried they could also be targeted.
The family has filed a police report. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Carlsbad Police at 760-931-2197.
