A woman has been arrested after she was caught stealing from actor Robert De Niro’s Christmas tree in New York City.
The real-life grinch allegedly broke into 79-year-old De Niro’s home in the early hours of Monday morning.
The BBC reports that the police saw the woman enter the basement of the actor’s building on the Upper East Side of the city at 2.45am and followed her inside.
The 30-year-old suspect, Shanice Aviles, was found in the apartment trying to stuff presents from underneath the Christmas tree into her bag. She was arrested at the scene.
According to the police, they had no idea the apartment belonged to De Niro until the iconic American star came downstairs in his dressing gown after he heard the commotion.
A police spokesperson said charges against the woman were pending and that an investigation was ongoing.
“The woman has numerous previous burglary arrests,” the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for De Niro said the burglary took place at a home the veteran actor was temporarily renting.
Compiled by Mashudu Mabila
Pictured above: Robert De Niro/@Twitter
Image source: BBC News/ ABC News
