Run Run Rudolph

Christmas is coming and petty yard theft is on the rise. Houstonist didn't think yard ornamentation had much street value - but apparently, it does. First, someone made off with the baby Jesus in Santa Fe, and now, in Friendswood, a thief made off with a snowman, reindeer and a 10-foot tall snow globe. Apparently, when one swipes a large decoration, it's best not to have your no-seatbelt-wearing passenger riding around with an inflatable snowman on their lap AND hanging out of the window. Perhaps it was the open trunk with visible,large decorations hanging out - or the running of a red light at Woodland Trail and FM 2351 - take your pick, all these things attract the attention of the proper authorities, at a couple of minutes after midnight. We suppose we'll concede that Houstonist Dad was right, nothing good happens after midnight (but, it seems like that's when the real fun commences!)

As initially reported in the Galveston Daily News, the thief is not the teenage prankster we were expecting, but, rather a 35 year old man from Friendswood with an invalid license and an inexplicable hydrocodone tablet (he had no prescription for the medication). His alleged accomplice, who had the inflatable snowman on his lap, is a 44 year old Houston resident. The driver faces charges of misdemeanor drug possession, invalid-drivers-license charges, on top of the theft charges both men face. As both are prior felons, the theft charges were upgraded to a felony, carrying a possible sentence of 180 days to two years and a fine of up to $10,000.

Don't hassle the Claus, or any of his affiliates!