Los Angeles, California — A Disney-loving family is hoping for a Halloween miracle after a spooky swindler stole their 13-foot Jack Skellington animatronic from their front lawn.
Beloved Decoration Taken Before Halloween
The Rodriguez family has displayed the towering Nightmare Before Christmas skeleton every year from October through New Year’s, delighting trick-or-treaters and carolers alike.
This year, however, the animatronic was snatched weeks before Halloween, leaving the family devastated. Avelina Rodriguez shared that even her 2-year-old granddaughter, whose first word was “Jack,” was heartbroken by the theft.
Surveillance Footage Captures Theft
Neighbors quickly rallied around the family. One neighbor provided surveillance footage showing a hooded figure carrying the 13-foot skeleton onto the roof of a nearby getaway car before speeding off in the early morning hours.
Rodriguez expressed her disbelief at the audacity of the thieves. “They came at 5 in the morning… Put him on top of the roof of the car — holding a 13-foot Jack the whole time while the other person drove? It’s insane!” she told Fox 11.
Family Holds Out Hope
Despite the theft, Rodriguez is holding onto hope that her beloved Jack Skellington will be returned. “It would be like a Halloween miracle for me… It would just go to show that there’s hope,” she said.
Spooky Season Brings Unexpected Chaos
The spooky season often inspires its own chaos. Last October in Ohio, a police officer was briefly swallowed by a runaway inflatable pumpkin, and earlier that year, the same officer was chased by a pair of raging turkeys during a routine traffic stop.
Residents are urged to check for any information or tips regarding the stolen Jack Skellington.
Have you ever experienced a holiday decoration theft or strange Halloween mishap? Share your story in the comments below to help the Rodriguez family and the community stay connected this spooky season.
