Stopping the Grinch from Stealing Your Christmas
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Video
Amy Fox | 12/26/2012 
Piles of empty boxes line the streets of Minot neighborhoods.
"I got a 40 inch TV and an Xbox," said Trey Dutcher, Minot resident.
After Dutcher opens all of his Christmas gifts and tries them out, it`s time to get rid of the boxes.
"I usually take them out to the dumpster."
If he isn`t careful, what he throws away could become a target for a Christmas crook.
"It would probably be a good idea not to advertise those valuables that you might have in your house," said Minot Police Captain Dan Strandberg.
When the thieves see the holiday trash sitting on the side of the street, it lets them know what`s inside your home.
"It`s really surprising, I would have never thought," said Dutcher.
"It would be a good idea not to put your trash out until your trash day arrives. So it`s not sitting out there for days, not advertising you have whatever valuables might be in your home," said Strandberg.
When you finally are ready to throw away those empty boxes, Strandberg recommends putting them in a dark trash bag to hide what`s inside.
"Whatever you can do to hide the identity or whatever valuables you may have in there would certainly be a good idea."
While there haven`t been any recent burglaries or break-ins Minot, as Strandberg explains, it`s always better to play it safe.
"Often times it is people who you`re acquainted with or you know. They know when you`re not at home and when your valuables are unguarded."
Although Dutcher already took his TV box to the dumpster, next time, he plans to keep it out of sight.
"I would probably hang on to them and break them down and make it look less like a TV box or whatever it is."
With trash pick up scheduled later this week, Minot residents can only hope they can prevent the Grinch from stealing their Christmas.
Due to Christmas, trash day for the south side of Minot is on Thursday and on Friday for the north side.
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