Sheriff's deputies recovered a Christmas tree and wreaths that were stolen on Monday from a local nursery.
Sheriff's deputies recovered a Christmas tree and wreaths that were stolen on Monday from a local nursery. Matthew Johnson, 43, of Santa Barbara was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of burglary in connection with the thefts. Credit: Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office photo

It appears the Grinch was busy in the Goleta area this week.

On Wednesday, Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 43-year-old Santa Barbara man suspected of stealing Christmas trees and wreaths from a local nursery.

Matthew Johnson allegedly absconded with multiple Christmas trees and wreaths on Monday from La Sumida Nursery at 165 S. Patterson Ave., according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.

Johnson was taken into custody at his home on the 4500 block of Oak Glen Drive, where deputies recovered one of the stolen trees as well as two wreaths from his home and returned them to La Sumida Nursery, sheriff’s spokeswoman Raquel Zick said.

Johnson was booked into the county Main Jail near Santa Barbara on suspicion of burglary, with bail set at $20,000.

He remained in custody at midday on Thursday.

— Noozhawk staff writer Rebecca Caraway can be reached at rcaraway@noozhawk.com.