The inflatable Santas were put up months before Christmas so a toddler with brain cancer could enjoy the holiday spirit. But for the past week, the outdoor decorations in a Cincinnati-area neighborhood have been mysteriously slashed, damaged and vandalized, the police said. 
 
 Residents started waiting up at night, keeping an eye out more during the day, and sharing messages on social media. 
 
 Then came a break in the case. The police said two boys, 16 and 17, were arrested and charged on Thursday with criminal damaging of an inflatable Santa on one property in the Colerain Township neighborhood. 
 
 “This was a mini-spree of criminal damaging,” Chief Mark C. Denney of the Colerain police department said in an interview. “It put a negative spin on everything going on in that neighborhood.” ||||| COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WKRC) - Police say that they have arrested two teens after some Christmas decorations were vandalized. 
 
 The Christmas decorations that were put up early in September were meant for 2-year-old Brody Allen, who has a rare form of brain cancer and isn't expected to make it to Christmas. 
 
 Brody's neighbors decided to put up decorations so that Christmas could come to Brody. Since the news broke, many have joined in on the cause and donated decorations and lights so that Brody's neighborhood could become a beacon of Christmas spirit. 
 
 "I really appreciate everyone coming by, dropping off stuff, sending gifts and letters. Brody loves opening letters. We all enjoy it; it's like a little Christmas every day for him," said Brody's brother, Andrew Allen. 
 
 
 
 Sometime after the decorations were put up, it was noticed that a few of the decorations were vandalized. Some of the inflatables had been slashed. Several other incidents were reported. There were reportedly repeat victims. 
 
 But one neighbor, George Reiter has a security camera and caught one of the incidents on video. The Colerain Police Department were able to track down and apprehend two teens, 16 and 17 years old, who confessed to several of the incidents. 
 
 Both suspects were taken to the Juvenile Detention Center and charges have been filed. They're charged with curfew violations and criminal damaging. One of the teens is also charged with fleeing police, and the other teen has three outstanding warrants for other charges. 
 
 Many people have heard Brody's story and are joining #TeamBrody. The Bengals running backs posted a video of themselves wishing Brody a Merry Christmas and radio station WARM 98 will be playing Christmas music on their station for the 2-year-old. 
 
 Colerain Township will be hosting an event in honor of Brody on Sunday, September 23rd. Neighbors will also carol at his home Thursday night. ||||| 2-year-old Brody Allen, diagnosed with a rare brain cancer, is celebrating Christmas early as his family tries to make their remaining time with him happy (Photo: Provided by the Allen family) 
 
 Colerain police arrested two teens Wednesday night, who they say confessed to slashing Christmas decorations on Adair Court. 
 
 The decorations are up for Brody Allen, a 2-year-old suffering from a rare brain cancer. The community is giving the toddler an early Christmas. 
 
 More: Christmas comes early to Colerain Twp. tot suffering with brain cancer 
 
 Chief Mark Denney said the teens were caught after someone saw them slashing a decoration on Niagara at 11 p.m. 
 
 Brody Allen's house is all decked out for Christmas. (Photo: Provided by Cincy Xmas Lights) 
 
 The department's officers have been making sure to drive by Adair Court after at least three decorations were damaged. Residents were also on watch. 
 
 The Niagara decoration's owner, who called police initially, was driving in the neighborhood, saw the teens and again called police. 
 
 Vandals cut Santa off at the knees, but neighbors keep repairing the inflatable. (Photo: Provided by Cincy Xmas Lights) 
 
 Police found the suspects. One stopped, the other fled but was caught. 
 
 Both were interviewed and confessed to slashing decorations on two separate occasions and were arrested. Police will continue patrols in the neighborhood. 
 
 Neighbors are thrilled the vandals were caught. 
 
 "This shows what a great community can do when everyone works together," said Lori McMullen, a board member for community group A Greater Northbrook. "Northbrook is unstoppable now. All it took was empowering residents with the task of looking out for one another. Merry Christmas." 
 
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– "They gutted the stomach. And then they sliced it sideways and up and down." The victim was an inflatable Santa Claus, but more than just a balloon was harmed. A Cincinnati-area neighborhood has been troubled for days over vandals who had been stabbing Christmas decorations put up to bring cheer to a dying 2-year-old. Police say they've now arrested two teens who have admitted to damaging the decorations on Adair Court in the Colerain Township neighborhood, reports the Cincinnati Enquirer. The 16- and 17-year-olds were apprehended early Thursday morning after a resident allegedly saw them in action. WKRC reports the boys have been charged with curfew violations and criminal damaging; one was hit with a charge of fleeing police. No motive was given. The New York Times reports the neighborhood had rallied around Brody Allen after the toddler's parents were told brain cancer would take his life within two months. Shilo and Todd Allen decided to decorate their home for Christmas, a holiday he loves, and neighboring houses did the same. They rallied again when the outdoor inflatables began to be stabbed, patching holes so they could once again come to life.