As you shop for those special Christmas gifts for your family, friends and loved ones this holiday season, remember that not all grinches are found in Dr. Seuss books. There are people out there who are looking for the opportunity to steal our valuables.

Be mindful of where you place your purse and wallet. A purse left in a shopping cart while you turn your back to look at an item may not be there when you turn back around. Often, criminals will steal a purse or wallet, and will have already racked up high credit card charges within minutes of the theft.

The same thing goes for bags of purchased items. Do not leave these items unattended or turn your back on them. As you travel from store to store, if you must store items in your car as you shop, we encourage shoppers to keep your purchased goods secured in the trunk of your vehicle where they are out of sight of would-be criminals. Simply placing a blanket or jacket over the bags in your back seat is not a good theft deterrent.

Also be mindful of how and where you display your Christmas gifts at home. Presents left on display near a window, where they are visible to passersby, are an invitation to the grinches out there to steal your presents, and discarded boxes after Christmas announce to thieves that your home has a new big screen TV or gaming system they may want to steal. Also bring in shipped packages as soon as you can or even arrange with a neighbor to bring them in so grinches will not steal them off your porch.

The North Ogden Police Department wishes you a Merry Christmas, but please be mindful that nothing ruins the holiday spirit faster than becoming the victim of a crime.