Thieves Targeting Popular Christmas Laser Lights
(CBS) -- They're this year's hottest Christmas decorations. So hot, thieves are stealing laser lights right from people's homes, reports CBS 2's Sandra Torres.
Lake in the Hills Police say thieves are stealing the lights to resell them for easy cash.
George Mihalopolous never imagined it would happen to him.
"I thought being the holidays and Christmas who would take Christmas lights from someone?" he said.
But someone did take them on Sunday, just days before Christmas.
"It's not the money, it's just the fact that somebody that came to our property and took something that is ours," Mihalopolous said.
He soon realized he was not the only victim.
"My wife called and they told us there were more incidents," he said.
Lake in the Hills Police say at least 13 units were reported stolen on the same day, all in the same neighborhood, just blocks apart.
"It's the season for the theft of Christmas decorations," said Lake in the Hills Police Chief Dave Brey.
Brey says this year the laser lights are hard to come by, making it a prime target for thieves.
"The unit only plugs into the house and then it stakes into the lawn," he said. "They have no serial numbers they are not traceable. All people have to do is unplug it."
And while police continue to investigate the incidents, neighbors are trying to stay vigilant.
"Every morning I get out and look to see if my lights are still there," said Frank Ramos. "Hopefully they don't steal them."
Police tell us they have not been able to recover any of the stolen units. The chief's advice: mark your unit so police can trace it back to you.