A Grinch accused of trying to steal Christmas at a Rutherford County home early Christmas morning is now behind bars, said Sheriff Robert Arnold.

The suspect is 19-year old Tyler Blake Hollingsworth of East Castle Street. He was taken into custody Saturday morning (12/27/2014) at his home by Deputies Derrick McCullough and Michael Parsons and Reserve Cpl. Brian Gonzales. Detective Will Pinson charged Hollingsworth with attempted aggravated burglary and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

"Thanks to an alert homeowner and a team of deputies and detectives, we now have the third Grinch behind bars," Sheriff Arnold said.

Pinson also charged co-defendant Elizabeth Baldridge, 22, of East Castle Street and a juvenile with attempted burglary after Patrol Lt. Chris Haynes apprehended them at the crime scene on Sterling Street off Bradyville Pike.

The homeowner, who did not want to be identified, expressed relief Hollingsworth was taken into custody.

"All day long yesterday (Friday), I was fretting," she said. "I covered up the windows. I've never had anything like this happen. Thankfully, the deputy got here real fast."

She was still awake about 1:30 a.m. after attending a Christmas Eve party but her husband was asleep. She heard a quiet knock on the front door and the sound of the screen door rattling. She awoke her husband, then the couple heard the burglar rattling the kitchen window as he tried to enter.

She called 911 while her husband looked out the window and saw two people standing outside.

"Thankfully, the deputy got here real fast," she said.

She stayed on the telephone line with the dispatcher while Lt. Haynes took two suspects into custody. She believes the man later identified as Hollingsworth jumped the fence to escape. Deputies towed his car left in their driveway.

Deputies found a bag outside their home.

"This had to be pre-planned," she said. "They were going to rob somebody that morning. To choose Christmas day, that was just horrible. I am just thankful it's all past."

She was also glad she was still awake and heard the man trying to break into her home early Christmas morning.

"I was trying to anticipate the morning and this happens," she said. "I'm just thankful no one was hurt. I'm so glad he's in custody."

Hollingsworth is being held on $6,500 bond. Baldridge was released on bond. Their hearings are set Jan. 26 in General Sessions Court.