Grinch Steals Christmas From Studio City Family With A Teen Son With Autism

STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com)  —  A real-life Grinch has stolen Christmas gifts from a Studio City family.

The family told KCAL9's Laurie Perez that the thief stole more than just deliveries. They say he got on their porch Friday afternoon and took seven packages containing presents.

Chuck and Colleen Saftler say this Grinch has literally stolen Christmas from their son.

Jackson Saftler checks the mailbox every day for a package that he doesn't know already arrived -- and went.

The Saftlers home surveillance cameras captured the thief taking the packages around 3:30 p.m.

It took less than two minutes for the thief to ruin Jackson's Christmas.

Jackson is a teen with autism and his parents say routine and predictability are vital in his day.

"He wants to know his schedule, he wants to understand what's happening when, what gifts are coming when," said Chuck.

Jackson's father explains that his son has been expecting a gift -- something he has gotten for three years now: the Disney Collection CD's Volumes 1-4.

Volume 3 is the hard one to find. The Saftlers found a copy in the UK -- and that was the one that was stolen.

There is no time to replace the stolen one or find a duplicate to arrive by Christmas.

His parents say not meeting the expectation of receiving the copy will cause confusing and lasting pain that his mom says he will re-live over and over, like a form of post-traumatic stress disorder.

"It seems silly because it's just a CD but to him it's everything and this is all he wants and all he asked for and it's not too much to ask for him to get something he wants for Christmas. It's not fair.

The family has contacted the police. Chuck posted the video of the Grinch on his Facebook page -- the video has 10,000+ views.

The Saftlers just want the CD back.

Without it, they know their holiday won't be joyous.

"It's gonna ruin [my son's] Christmas," Colleen says.

For a link to the Saftler surveillance video, click here.