Santa stolen from spirited Sequim neighborhood

Mel and Mary Fisher of Sequim had an unhappy discovery to start 2017.

On New Year’s Eve, the Fishers discovered someone cut the strings holding down their biker Santa Claus and took off with it sometime between 7-8 p.m.

“It was a Grinch-thing to do,” Mel said his neighbors told him.

The Fishers have made a tradition of decorating their home with inflatable characters, Christmas lights, nutcrackers and more for three years on the corner of West Sylvester Court.

They host one of the brightest homes in the area and were featured in the Gazette in December.

Drivers come by consistently each year and this Christmas season was no different, the couple said.

Mary said that Christmas is her favorite time of year and she’s been decorating her homes for about 30 years. “I just love Christmas,” she said. But when asked how she felt when she learned about Santa being stolen, Mary said the words she wanted to use couldn’t go in the newspaper.

“Whoever did it, my guess is they planned it,” Mel said. “If they were there a minute, I’d be surprised.”

The couple likes the inflatable so much they even put it out on the Fourth of July with a large American flag.

Mel said he didn’t see the point in reporting the Santa stolen to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office due to its worth. However, if they find a replacement, they might buy one, but Mel hopes the culprit is a person of principle.

“If you bring it back and put it back on the porch, no questions asked,” he said. “You can come by in the day or night. Whatever they are comfortable with. It’s not worth the trouble (with law enforcement).”