SAN ANTONIO — Two weeks before Thanksgiving, a family is frustrated after thieves made off with their large inflatable turkey.
It happened just after 4 a.m. on Tuesday in the Silverbrook neighborhood, which is located near Loop 1604 and Bandera Road.
Surveillance cameras caught the Class C misdemeanor. In the video, a woman can be seen cutting the strings that anchored the 6-foot decoration. She then trots the half-deflated turkey to an idling car and stuffs it into the driver’s seat. A second person is seen inside the white hatchback, which is missing its front bumper and has damage on the driver’s side.
“It was disheartening to know that someone could come onto our property – and it kind of felt violating too – knowing that someone came onto our property and took something that we use every single year and that our kids enjoy,” said Jasmine.
The turkey, which has been in the family for six years, is festively displayed each Thanksgiving.
“My 16-year-old enjoys coming out here and sticking the stakes into the ground,” said Jasmine. “He was pretty bummed when he came outside and it was gone. At first, he thought maybe the wind took it, but when we saw the strings and checked the surveillance camera, we had to break it to him that someone stole it.”
Large inflatable turkeys cost anywhere from $30 to $100. However, the homeowner says it’s not the price; it’s the principle.
“We just hope she doesn’t go around stealing other people’s inflatables or lights because we work hard for our stuff,” said Jasmine. “A lot of people in Silverbrook decorate for the holidays. We have a 20-foot Grinch and now we are a little afraid to put it out. So, hopefully we can identify her and hold her accountable for what she has done.”
If you know anything about the suspected thieves, please call the San Antonio Police Department’s non-emergency line at 210-207-7273.