A “Grinch” who pleaded guilty to stealing two Christmas packages from the front porch of a Sparks home has been sentenced to six months in the Washoe County jail, the maximum time behind bars for a misdemeanor petty-larceny offense.
Arthur Flintroy, 36, was sentenced last week in Sparks Municipal Court after city prosecutor Thomas Wilson argued for the maximum jail term based on Flintroy’s two prior felony convictions on theft-related charges. Judge Jim Spoo also fined the convicted Christmas thief $500 and ordered him to pay restitution to the victims.
“This is the first one I’ve ever seen, and I’ve prosecuted here for a long time,” Wilson said, referring to a case in which a Christmas package thief has been brought to justice.
Wilson said he also couldn’t recall a time when a petty larceny conviction resulted in the maximum jail sentence of six months.
The case, officials said, serves as a remainder of the need for Sparks residents to be wary of Christmas package thieves and the need to help their neighbors secure unattended parcels.
Flintroy was tracked down and arrested after he was caught in the act by the homeowner, according to case documents.
The homeowner observed the thief pull up in a car in the driveway on the afternoon of Dec. 9 and snatch the two packages, which had just been delivered by UPS, from the front porch. The homeowner came outside with his daughter and yelled at the defendant, who tossed the packages into the car and drove away.
The victim obtained the license plate, and authorities were able to trace Flintroy through the car’s registered owner. The victim then identified the defendant through a photo line-up. Flintroy subsequently turned himself in and confessed to the crime, authorities said.
Wilson said Flintroy told authorities that he took the packages from the porch because he needed money. The packages, which contained a vacuum cleaner and baby items, were sold to a woman near Wells Avenue for $60.
Leave a Reply