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Bumble's Back! Prized Snowman Returned, Thieves Charged

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in South Orange, New Jersey announced in a Facebook post that "Bumble" the snowman and several other stolen lawn decorations were recovered and are in the process of being returned to their owners.

Several Seton Hall University students are charged with receiving stolen property.

"South Orange police would like to express that although this may be seen, to some, as a prank or harmless joke, it was in fact a theft and we take those seriously," the department said in the post.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported exclusively Friday, the decorations mean a lot more than holiday cheer for the family that was targeted.

Surveillance video showed a man in a short-sleeve shirt in the bitter cold. He approached a home on Village Road not too far from Seton Hall University, and he grabbed decorations and ran off at 3:19 a.m Friday.

South Orange Decoration Theft
A man is caught on camera stealing a flag and decorations from outside a house in South Orange, New Jersey. (Credit: CBS2)

"They stepped and broke this spotlight that was shining on the American flag," said Edward Lau of South Orange.

Lau noticed items missing Friday morning as he left to take his 4-year-old son, Jake, to daycare.

"I looked up and someone, you know -- Bumble from 'Rudolph' and our American flag was gone," Lau said.

The Lau's home was quite impressive all lit up. Bumble the snowman was Jake's favorite.

"We've done it for three years now, and he's heartbroken," Lau said. "You know, we had to console him."

The Grinch acted so quickly that it seemed he did not realize this camera was right in his face.

 

Police said several homes in the area were targeted. Authorities are now trying to determine whether or not to pursue additional charges against the Seton Hall students.

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