Police arrest one “Grinch,” still seeking others

A holiday Grinch may have gotten away with stealing a Cedar Rapids family's Christmas presents if she hadn't unwrapped them so soon.

Police investigating the break-in early Saturday at 1558 Bever Ave. SE found boxes and wrapping paper near Shellie Everts' home at 416 17th St. SE, according to the complaint charging her with third-degree burglary.

Everts, 30, was arrested Wednesday afternoon. After spending the night in jail, she was released after an initial appearance this morning.

The complaint said Everts admitted breaking into the home of Matthew Brownfield and his family after they were forced to spend a few nights in a motel while damage from a kitchen fire was repaired. Brownfield, the father of four, said they returned home Saturday morning to find the home ransacked.

Everts admitted she and “several accomplices” broke into the house, according to the complaint. They took the Brownfields' TV, a video game system, and all of their Christmas presents.

Police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said Everts was among those present during the fire Friday night.

“Everts was there the night of the fire, ‘helping' the family during the fire only to turn into a Grinch and truly ‘help herself out' while they were consoling each other,” Hamblin wrote in an email. “This type of not only criminal behavior, but also heartless behavior, will not be tolerated.

Hamblin said police hope to make additional arrests in the case.