Thieves stole a huge 40-foot-tall inflatable Santa Claus from a family-owned Christmas tree lot in Phoenix, Arizona. The Santa is 20 feet wide, making it hard to move or hide. The family that owns Kraemer’s Tree Lot can’t understand how the thieves managed to steal something so massive.
According to the New York Post, Kyle Kraemer, who runs the lot with his family, said putting up the giant Santa is difficult work. He explained that even his four workers had trouble setting it up. The thieves must have had many people helping them or were very determined to pull off the theft.
The crime happened between Saturday night and Sunday morning. The business has been running at the same spot for 25 years, and the giant Santa has been part of their Christmas display for over 30 years. Families visit every year to take photos with the inflatable Santa and buy their Christmas trees.
This theft hurt more than just the business
The thieves cut through the fence to get inside the lot. They had to deflate the giant Santa before moving it. Marks left in the gravel show they dragged the whole structure out of the property. The scene must have looked strange, with people pulling a massive deflated Santa across the lot in the dark.
Kraemer said losing the Santa hurts because it’s more than just a decoration. “This one hurts. Our giant inflatable Santa was stolen from our tree lot. He’s part of what makes the season special for families who visit us,” he said. It’s a landmark that families look for when they drive through the area. Arizona has seen other troubling incidents involving property recently.
Thieves snatch 40-foot inflatable Santa from family-owned Christmas tree lot https://t.co/eVIbOyZEEM pic.twitter.com/AWX9KtdpSv
— New York Post (@nypost) December 17, 2025
The family shared their sadness on Facebook. They wrote that the giant Santa makes the season special for families who visit them. They asked anyone with information to contact them because they want Santa back. Phoenix police are investigating this case, along with other serious crimes in Arizona.
Kraemer asked the obvious question: “Who steals Santa? I mean, it’s Christmas time.” The stolen Santa is so big and well-known that it would be easy to spot if someone tried to display it. Phoenix police are now investigating the case and trying to find the thieves.
