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A nightmare before Christmas: Mesa homeowners say teens are attacking their holiday decorations

The Severson's had just spent the day putting up their decorations for the holiday. Hours later, they said a group of kids came by and vandalized it.

MESA, Ariz. — It's not even Thanksgiving but Santa added a few names to his Naughty List. 

Home security video caught the moment when what appears to be three teenagers tackled and vandalized the Christmas decorations in front of a Mesa family's home.

"It’s just disappointing when somebody comes and does this to us," said homeowner Michael Severson.

VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Los propietarios de viviendas en Mesa dicen que adolescentes están atacando sus decoraciones navideñas

It happened Sunday night hours after Severson said he and his daughter spent the day putting up all the Christmas lights, inflatables and an eight foot tall Santa in their front yard. Severson said it was a tough year for him and his family so to help cheer up his wife he decided to put up the decorations early.

“This is her favorite time of the year and it really gets her into the holiday cheer," he said.

Then after they went to bed a couple of "Mean Ones" showed up. Video shows a white truck and dark colored SUV drive around their cul-de-sac and park across the street. Moments later three people who Severson said were teens sprint out of the car and attack some of the inflatables.

“I just think they were bored and looking around for some trouble unfortunately," he said.

It lasted only a few seconds. Severson believes they would have done more damage if it wasn't for their motion sensor lights that went off right when they ran through the driveway. Still, he said one of the inflatables was broken with others damaged. Estimating the total damage was about $200.

"It was just disrespectful to our property and it was pretty sad," Severson said. "I was disappointed.”

Severson said he filed a report with the Mesa Police Department and shared the video with a hope that those responsible will be found.

Situations like this seem to happen every year. In 2022, four people made criminal damage reports to Gilbert Police between November 25 to November 30. Video shows suspects kicking and even stabbing holiday inflatables.

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