SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (CBS Cleveland/AP) — An Ohio man says a thief jumped into his idling car on Christmas and fled with his family’s holiday gifts.

WHIO-TV reports Michael Chandler was warming up the Dodge Neon for his wife and 6-year-old son Tuesday night after a visit to his in-laws in Springfield.

When he went back outside to get in the car, it was gone. So were his son’s scooter, and other Christmas gifts that were in the car.

“It almost reminds you of the Grinch,” Chandler told the station. “My son is 6. He don’t understand this. He’s crying. I told him the Grinch did it.”

Chandler said he didn’t think about the possibility that someone would steal his idling car on Christmas.

Springfield police have put out an alert for the 2000 dark purple four-door Neon.

Police say it’s illegal to leave an idling car unattended, but Chandler won’t be ticketed. They figure he’s suffered enough.

“He’s suffered enough,” Meyer told the station. “It’s a 35-dollar ticket.”

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