Woman accused of vandalizing Boynton Beach Christmas tree

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – A Boynton Beach woman and two of her friends are sure to make Santa’s naughty list this year after vandalizing the city’s Christmas tree Tuesday night, police said.

Samantha Presendieu, 19, was arrested on a criminal mischief charge.

According to an arrest report, Presendieu and two other females, whose ages and identities have not been released, removed ornaments from the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum Christmas tree at about 9:30 p.m. and smashed the ornaments on the ground.

Police said the suspects were also seen removing ribbons off the tree and damaging the tree lighting.

A witness who called 911 told the dispatcher that the group ran south across East Ocean Avenue toward the Boynton Beach Civic Center.

When officers arrived, they found 21 large ornament balls broken on the roadway and three torn bows. They said the tree lighting was also no longer functioning properly.

The suspects were found by police on a sidewalk just northwest of the Christmas tree.

Community Redevelopment Agency representative Michael Simon told officers that the damage would cost the city more than $1,000 to repair.

According to the report, Presendieu has previously trespassed on the school grounds and was given a warning.