UPDATES: Stolen Christmas decorations are returned to a Rockford home

Updated November 29, 2017, 7:16 p.m.

UPDATE: ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A Rockford woman's stolen Christmas lights. It appears those lights were found by a woman who lives right around the corner.

A woman called 23 news saying that she found lights in her yard that matched the ones stolen from Johnson. And sure enough, it was, in fact, the missing lights.

"All of us neighbors watch out for each other, That might be the reason why we've never had a problem here until now. Hopefully, it doesn't happen again.I mean, It's nice to still have good neighbors in the area," says Jodie Johnson.

Johnson says despite a few missing pieces she was able to put the light projection back up outside her home. She says she believes she knows who stole the lights and she's given that information to police.

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Posted November 28, 2017, 4:24 p.m.

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for one woman her favorite holiday tradition was short lived. A thief stole some Christmas decorations from a Rockford home, but security camera footage may help catch him.

"He's a Grinch. He's the Grinch that stole Christmas," says homeowner Jodi Johnson.

Johnson loves decorating her home for her favorite holiday.

"I just really get into Christmas. It kind of sends a tingle I guess, you know, to see the lights light up your house,” says Johnson.

Just two days ago Johnson put out a decoration that projected lights on the front of her home. She woke up Tuesday morning and realized something was wrong.

"I peeked out my window and seen the light was completely gone," says Johnson.

"The holiday season brings out the best and worst in some people. Christmas decorations, you know theft of Christmas decorations happens every year,” says Rockford Police Chief Dan O’Shea.

Luckily for Johnson, she has security cameras all around her home.

"He took his sweet time unplugging it, and took the light and shoved it in his bag and just nonchalantly took off walking,” says Johnson.

Johnson did file a report with Rockford Police, who encourage all homeowners to install security cameras.

"The more security cameras you can place outside, whether they're visible or not, it benefits protecting your property and it also helps us in the investigations after the fact,” says Chief O’Shea.

Johnson says she's thankful she has cameras. Although now, when it comes to decorating, she's taking a different approach this year.

“Usually I put Christmas lights out on my railing and I put bows up, but this season I think we'll just stick to the inside stuff,” says Johnson.