The real-life Grinch caught “green hands” trying to sweep the Illinois Christmas spirit

ILLI. (TNND) — He’s an evil… He’s a… real? Looks like the holiday spirit was too much for a truly green villain to handle. An Illinois man made headlines after dressing up as the infamous holiday troublemaker, “The Grinch,” and trying to swipe the city of Aurora’s city Christmas tree.

Late Friday night, Aurora police received several calls reporting a suspicious green figure trying to steal the Christmas tree in the city of Aurora. Responding officers arrived and the suspect attempted to flee on foot.

Our officers arrived just in time to capture the Grinch,” said Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross. “He put up quite a fight, claiming he was ‘just borrowing’ the tree to ‘spread some anti-holiday cheer.’ We weren’t buying it.”

After a foot chase through the city streets, the police caught the man and arrested him. In this true story, his heart didn’t grow three sizes, but rather his list of accusations.

The suspect, who has not yet been named, faces theft, criminal damage to state-supported property, resisting arrest and obstructing a peace officer.

Currently, the Grinch is being held at the City of Aurora Detention Center awaiting his court appearance.

“If you see anything suspicious — like a green man dressed in red — say something,” the Aurora Police Department said in a statement.