Grinch steals premium Christmas trees from local lot

LACONIA — City police are looking about for the Grinch who Stole Christmas trees from a local tree salesman.

David Gouette of Maggie D's Garden Center on Court Street said someone made off with about 19 of his best Christmas trees sometime between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Gouette said he stopped by the outside gated area where he and his wife sell plants during the summer at 4:30 p.m. on their way to visit family.

When he stopped back two hours later, he said someone had pushed down a portion of the fence toward the rear of his Christmas Tree stand.

"Who ever took them knew what they wanted," said Gouette, explaining that all the stolen trees were from the pile of most expensive, highest quality trees.

Gouette said that all of his trees come compressed in netting and, as they are sold, he removes the netting to allow the branches to drop. The stolen trees were some of the biggest and best Balsam firs and Frazier firs he had.

"The $50 trees, if you will," he said.

Gouette and police ask that anyone who was on Court Street Thanksgiving Day who may have seen some kind of truck in or around either Maggie D's or Bob's Lock and Key to please call the Laconia Police with the information.

He said the trees would have to have been loaded into at least a full-sized or a one-ton pickup or possible a box truck.

Gouette said the thing that bothers him the most is that for years he and his family have owned local businesses and he hates to think that someone would take advantage of a couple of local people who are just trying to earn an honest living.

Laconia Police said they are investigating and asked anyone with any information to call the Laconia Police are 524-5252 or the Greater Laconia Crime Line at 524-1717.