LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) — Lebanon law enforcement officers were looking for three people in connection with an unusual crime: a Christmas tree theft at a local restaurant.
"At a Subway here in Lebanon, we had three individuals come into the store; one actually sat down and ate food," Zach Patton, public information officer for the Lebanon Police Department, said.
The department posted surveillance video from Monday, Nov. 25 at the Subway on Sparta Pike, which shows three people walking out of the restaurant together, but then one of them returned, grabbed the tree, and ran out with it, leaving just the base of the tree behind.
On Wednesday, Nov. 25, the Lebanon Police Department posted that the tree had been returned and the three suspects were identified.
"Unfortunately, we do see some shoplifting and some porch pirates, but it's not very often that you hear of someone's Christmas tree being stolen, so that's very not in the spirit of Christmas, if you ask me," Patton said.
As the shopping season ramps up, Patton is sharing reminders when it comes to online shopping and having packages sent to your home.
"Get a trusted family member or friend or neighbor to maybe pick up the package for you, get a package locker that you can install at your house, or just have that package be held at the post office," Patton advised.
With Lebanon preparing for Black Friday and extra traffic around shopping areas this holiday season, police are using their 360-degree camera in hopes of deterring crime.
"That's going to be moved around the city. It's actually about to go to the Square here in the next day or two," Patton said.
Authorities searched for the three individuals who didn't appear to be spreading Christmas cheer at Subway earlier this week.
"I guess you can say the Grinch has already struck here in Lebanon, so our department is obviously seeking information on who these individuals may be, and hopefully we can get them identified and get this Christmas tree back to its rightful owner," Patton explained.
