Nate Cummings of Dunedin applying the decorations to the
Octagon Christmas Tree before going up on Monday. Photo by
Peter McIntosh.
Police arrested an intoxicated grinch who allegedly tried
to steal Dunedin's Christmas.
Just before midnight on Monday, the lure of a decoration on
the Octagon's Christmas tree proved too much for one man.
However, his Christmas joy was shortlived, after police
arrested the 21-year-old man and charged him with theft.
Senior Sergeant Mel Aitken said the man had been drinking
with friends when he decided to steal a decoration.
''It puts a sour taste on the good Christmas feeling."
The man was expected to appear in the Dunedin District Court
on Friday.
Dunedin City Council events team leader Marilyn Anderson said
trying to steal one of the decorations on the tree was not
advised.
''If a person wants to put his hands among 20,000 lights, and
take the chance of not getting his fingers fried ... it is
really not a bright idea."
The tree, which sits on two shipping containers wrapped in
fire retardant material, has been an annual Christmas fixture
since 2003, and was installed in the Octagon late last month.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.