1 released from jail in Christmas ornament thefts

SWEETWATER, Fla. (WSVN) -- One woman is out of jail after she and an accomplice were arrested Thursday accused of stealing a neighbor's Christmas lawn ornaments.

According to police, surveillance cameras captured Guadalupe Valdes and her accomplices as they stole about $500 worth of holiday yard decorations from the front yard of the Alemendarez family's Sweetwater home on Tuesday. "This is what we would consider a grand theft," said a Sweetwater Police detective. "[They stole] Mickey Mouse on a horse, some hugging penguins, Snoopy on a dog house, and Santa on a sled."

The Alemendarez family said the ornaments also had sentimental value attached to them. Homeowner Ingrid Alemendarez said the Christmas display reminds her of her late husband, since he helped put it together before he died. "He was around when we got all these balloons, and, like, he really worked hard to get them," said Omar Sanchez.

Ingrid Alemendarez said that she found her stolen ornaments less than a block away from her home, in the suspects' front yard. She led police to the suspects' home, where authorities took Valdes and another woman into custody on Thursday.

Valdes appeared in bond court, where she was charged with grand theft. Judge Victoria R. Brennan said, "There is probable cause to support the charge. I'm going to release you to pre-trial services."

She is now out of jail, but she now has to face a community filled with questions about the alleged theft. "Why you stole the ornaments? What kind of ornaments? What they was worth?" a group of women asked Valdes.

"Oh my God!" Valdes yelled. "Could you stop?"

Authorities continue to investigate the robbery, and police may make more arrests in the case.

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