Residents who had their Christmas decorations stolen may get them back now that police say they?ve caught the thief.

Albert Mota, who lives on Albert Avenue Place in Edison, has been accused of the crime. Police say Mota wasn?t very discreet, as some of the decorations he was accused of stealing were on display in his yard.

According to police, Mota says he took the decorations because he is upset over a divorce and wanted to create a winter wonderland for his young daughter. Mota?s mother told Metuchen police that her son has many personal issues.

Christmas decorations aren?t the only thing Mota has stolen, police say. They say he also swiped wicker chairs, lawn furniture and lawn ornaments since last summer.

The Post family allegedly had a decoration stolen by Mota. Danielle and Timmy Post had just lost their father, and they were upset when their inflatable Christmas decoration was stolen from their yard. They are happy to be getting their decoration back, but say it?s unfortunate that Christmas is already over.

Mota is free on bail.

The thefts happened in the neighboring towns of Edison and Metuchen. People who think they may have had a decoration stolen can call the Edison police at 732-248-7400 or the Metuchen police at 732-632-8500.