Durham, N.C. — Residents of the Dover Ridge subdivision in Durham say they won't let a Grinch who stole their decorations take their Christmas spirit as well. 

Sandi Braswell said Monday she designed this year's decorations for the community's two welcome signs, just off Guess Road. The red and green trimmings hung for about two weeks before someone stole them sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

"Every year, I put a lot of time and effort and thought (into it)," Braswell said. "Someone decided they wanted them and they took them. It has everyone in the neighborhood pretty irate."

Bill Jones, a board member for the subdivision's home owner's association, said the thief isn't living up to the season's Christian roots.

"I've always gone to church. I thought I was a Christian," he said."We all sin, and we're not supposed to hate people. We're supposed to be able to forgive, but this is probably a hard thing to do if I find out who did this."

Neighbors reported the theft to Durham police, but an official report has not been filed.