Search Underway For Slasher In South Charlotte

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by Kirk Hawkins, Photojournalist Adam Stevens

Story Created: Dec 20, 2012 at 9:29 PM EDT

Story Updated: Dec 20, 2012 at 11:15 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--A holiday slasher is on the loose in the Foxcroft neighborhood of South Charlotte. Vandals have destroyed nearly a dozen decorations. And now, with just four days to go until Christmas, homeowners are getting ready for one last weekend to be on alert.

"So right here, they like slashed a hole in it," said South Charlotte resident Carly Levi. A soggy santa, flamingos laying flat and a sagging star atop a tree. "I think it's horrible. It's really sad," she said.

The trail of holiday devastation extends throughout the Foxcroft neighborhood. "Up in here around the head and on this side," said Flynn Harris as he showed us the damage to one of his inflatable Christmas decorations. And now the search is on for a real life Grinch after Charlotte Mecklenburg
Police say nearly 8 Christmas decorations have been destroyed in the last two weeks. "It's just pure vandalism. There's no reason to go on and do something like that," said Harris.

But amid the holes and holiday lights, a single survivor. "You're not getting us. You're just not getting us," said South Charlotte resident Martha Hutson. The peanuts have perservered in Hutson's front yard. "You always wake up in the morning and wonder if they're going to inflate," Hutson said.

Her magical monument to the ugliest of sweaters has maintained itself in part thanks to a strict lights out policy, each night at 11 p.m. "It is just so sad that they think this is funny," Hutson said.

Since what happened in this neighborhood was anything but nice, Martha has a message for those who have been naughty. "You're gonna get coal this year. Noooo presents from Santa for you," Hutson said.

Police say they have increased their patrols in the neighborhood. They are also staking out some of those Christmas decorations, with the hopes of trying to track down whoever is responsible.

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