A couple renowned for their spectacular Christmas displays have been left heartbroken after a giant, 10-foot nutcracker soldier was brazenly stolen from their front garden.
The Festive Heist in Spaldwick
Doug and Liz Pecarski, who live in Spaldwick near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, had proudly displayed two of the expensive figurines, each worth £2,500, for three years. The towering German soldier nutcrackers had become a beloved local landmark, with villagers often stopping to take festive photographs with them.
The theft occurred on a Wednesday evening at precisely 8.04pm. The couple were left 'befuddled' to discover one of the heavy models had vanished. It was only after reviewing their CCTV footage the following day that the full, bizarre story unfolded.
CCTV Captures Bizarre Two-Person Operation
The footage showed a car pulling up outside a neighbour's property. Two individuals then climbed the wall into the Pecarskis' garden. Working under the cover of darkness, they untethered the nutcracker from the wall—a precaution taken after previous storms—and toppled it over.
"They carried him back over the fence," said Mr Pecarski, 51. "He was stuck in the back of the car, hanging out." He emphasised the sheer effort required, noting the nutcracker weighs an estimated 12.5 stone (approx. 79 kg) and was "a two-man job to put them up." The alleged thieves even returned to the scene ten minutes later.
Mrs Pecarski's intuition had been sparked that evening. She had noticed a car driving back and forth and had shut the gates due to what she called her 'spidey senses'.
Community Joy Turned to Disheartening Theft
The couple decorate their home extravagantly each year to raise funds for the Woodgreen Pets Charity, where Liz volunteers. Their efforts have earned their home the nickname 'the Christmas House' in the village. "It brings the community, and the kids, so much joy," said Mr Pecarski.
The senseless act has deeply affected them. "You lose a little bit of faith in humanity," Mr Pecarski admitted. "It was saddening and disheartening." He speculated the thief might have wanted "to be on the naughty list with a lump of coal."
In a touching show of support, local children have since given the couple two miniature nutcrackers to provide "additional guarding."
Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed the theft was reported and are investigating. The Pecarskis are appealing for the safe return of their festive guardian.
