Union Co. authorities advise residents of vandals targeting Christmas decorations

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Union County authorities are advising residents to be alert after they said vandals are targeting Christmas decorations in several neighborhoods.

In the Wesley Chapel subdivision of Silver Creek, resident Ashley Walling said someone snipped the electric cord to the lights on reindeer standing in her yard.

"My 11-year-old daughter was really upset, she's at a sensitive age, and she just could not understand why someone would purposely do this," Walling said.

Nearly a half dozen other homes have had light cords snipped or other instances of vandalism in the neighborhood. This week, the HOA president sent out an email to families warning them of the crime spree.

Authorities said similar incidents have also been reported in Weddington, and Marvin, where inflatable Christmas decorations were found slashed over the weekend.

"We take those types of crimes just as serious as any other," said Capt. Ronnie Whitaker with the Union County Sheriff's Office.

Some residents told Channel 9 they want more deputy patrols, and investigators are urging residents to be vigilant and report suspicious behavior or activity.

WSOC