Like most children, TyLon Pittman from Byram, Mississippi, was extremely excited for Christmas.
The 5-year-0ld couldn’t wait to open his presents and wanted to be sure nothing would get in the way— most notably, the Grinch.
Best known as the main character of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the iconic green grump has been threatening the Christmas spirit for the past 61 years— and TyLon wasn’t going to take any chances.
Being too little to defeat the Grinch himself, TyLon called the police for backup.
As you can imagine, the 911 dispatcher was amused by the boy’s request. Officer Lauren Develle told The Clarion-Ledger: “Our dispatcher posted a status on Facebook that she had received a call from a little boy… and he told her he thought the Grinch was coming to steal his Christmas. I asked her to send me his address.”
Develle, the tiny blonde officer, has been a life-long fan of the Grinch stories, with many people even likening her to Cindy Lou Who. “I kind of find it really funny,” she said. “Every Christmas morning, my dad wears these Grinch pants. It’s his favorite movie. Growing up seeing the Grinch every Christmas was my favorite thing.”
When Officer Develle arrived at TyLon’s home that night, his family was completely stunned.
TeDera Dwayne Graves, TyLon’s brother, was home on holidays from the Air Force and managed to capture the adorable event. In a Facebook post, he wrote: “I can NOT make this up!! ”
“My 5-year-old brother called police and said that the Grinch is stealing people’s Christmas, and he don’t want him to steal his, so they really came to our house!”
In the adorable video, you hear Officer Develle reassure TyLon that she won’t let the Grinch steal his Christmas.
When she asks TyLon what he’s going to do if The Grinch tries to steal Christmas, he says: “I want y’all to come back to my house and take him to jail.” Turns out, however, TyLon would be getting his wish.
Shortly after the initial encounter went viral, TyLon was invited to the station for a special surprise.
Clad in police baseball cap, honorary junior officer TyLon Pittman escorted Officer Develle as they locked the Grinch away for good.
Emerging from a police vehicle, the offender put up no fight as he was led into a jail’s holding cell. “Come here, Ty,” the Grinch told him, taking his hand.
“You have saved Christmas for the people of Byram. Your bravery is unmatched. You have saved the day.”
After saving Christmas from the Grinch, TyLon was presented with a Grinch doll from Police Chief Luke Thompson. Afterward, TyLon’s brother said: “For them to go this far and have this happen, when he wants to be a police officer, it means a lot. ”
“It just shows that there are some really good people out there.”
Since being uploaded, TyLon’s story has been viewed thousands of times.
“Awwwww, thank you So much TyLon! You’re our hero; you saved everybody’s Christmas!”
“That’s the cutest thing I’ve heard this year! I love this kid! Thanks for arresting the Grinch. You made our day.”
“Greatest news story in a long, long time. That little guy gives me a lot hope.”
Hear the heartwarming story below!
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