NORTH ATTLEBORO - Santa Claus was able to make his rounds for Christmas after the damage to his sleigh was repaired by Norman Fontaine.

The sleigh was damaged Saturday night by a couple of Grinches, who tried to steal the Santa from Fontaine's elaborate front yard holiday display, but were scared off when they were spotted by a neighbor.

Santa was in his sleigh at Fontaine's Phillips Street home, where the 81-year-old resident has a popular Christmas light display.

Fontaine said he had just turned off the light display, when about 15 minutes later the Grinches came on his property and tried to steal the Santa from the display, breaking a portion of the sleigh in the attempt.

Fortunately, Fontaine said, a neighbor spotted at least two people, and yelled at them. The Grinches, believed to be youthful vandals, immediately fled from Fontaine's yard. One jumped over a 5-foot wall and ran down the street and the other drove off in what appeared to be a white Jeep Cherokee, Fontaine said.

"It's sad. So many people love the thing. I could hardly sleep that night," Fontaine said. "I'm tickled to death they didn't get him because I just love him."

The display was secured by cables, which Fontaine hooked up two years ago after vandals stole a Charlie Brown figure from the display.

Fontaine made repairs to Santa and his sleigh on Sunday.

The episodes were the only two incidents of vandalism of the display in the 15 years that Fontaine has had his elaborate light display to spread good cheer.

People from far and wide come to see Fontaine's holiday light display every year, frequently waving from their cars, and in some instances stopping and waiting for him to pop on the lights.

This year will be the last for the display, Fontaine said, because he has become too old to climb ladders and set up the lights.

North Attleboro Police Capt. Daniel Coyle said the incident remains under investigation.

DAVID LINTON can be reached at 508-236-0338 or at dlinton@thesunchronicle.com.