Payton Baggett Reporting
pbaggett@clarksvillenow.com

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Clarksville citizens got a surprise on Monday, December 23 with the news that the famous Mr. Grinch from the Dr. Seuss book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” had appeared on the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office’s (MCSO) booking log. The man with the green face and red suit had been arrested for theft, with a bond set at one million dollars. (Read the original story here).

The festive idea to send the Grinch to jail came from Sheriff John Fuson, who decided that MCSO should have someone dress up as the popular character. “The sheriff has a lot of holiday spirit,” said Corporal Bishop Delaney with MCSO, who was asked to help with the Grinch’s costume.

After some thought, Delaney decided to put the holiday villain’s makeup on himself, because he felt it would be easier than trying to dress up another person. Delaney made his outfit with the experience he gained from his hobbies in costume makeup and airbrush body painting. He purchased makeup supplies from a costume shop in Nashville, and modeled his face after Jim Carrey’s in the Grinch movie released in 2000.

Delaney then tested the disguise by wearing it the mall, saying that it took him over an hour to walk through the entire building because of the response from shoppers. He also shopped for children as the Grinch at 5 Star Radio’s 2013 Toy Drive with donations he received from Facebook friends. The costume even made an appearance at the Dover Police Department’s Shop with a Cop event, which helped with holiday shopping for children across Stewart County.

MCSO decided that the Grinch’s mugshot should be posted three days before Christmas Day so that it could still be seen in the booking log on December 25.

Delaney credits Lt. Sonny Goodowens and others in the Sheriff’s Office for taking time away from their work schedules to help with the Grinch effort. Delaney called the experience “a lot of fun,” and said that he plans to make the outfit more elaborate next year by using green fur to cover his arms and legs.

Click here to see the news of the Grinch’s arrest reported as far as Shelby County, AL.