Heartless thief caught on camera stealing little Queensland girl's presents

A heartless thief has left a young Ipswich girl, who has Asperger's syndrome and her single father devastated.

He robbed them of all their Christmas presents and the joy of the season but he was caught on camera.

For Cadence Arnold and her dad Daniel, Christmas is normally the most wonderful time of the year. But not this year, after a thief stole their presents and peace of mind.

Cadence and Daniel are devastated they were robbed. Source: 7 News
Cadence and Daniel are devastated they were robbed. Source: 7 News

"Just the invasion," Daniel said. "It's going to take a lot for her to get through it."

They arrived home to find the gifts that were wrapped under the tree all gone.

"I was like where are all the presents? Where are all the presents," Cadence said.

The thief broke in through the 11-year-old's bedroom window, stole her pocket money and then the presents.

"I think that's very mean to come in and rob all the presents... that's cruel," Cadence said.

Cadence has Asperger's which causes anxiety.

The thief broke in through Cadence's bedroom window. Source: 7 News
The thief broke in through Cadence's bedroom window. Source: 7 News

"It's been hard... I was too scared to sleep in my own bed last night," she said.

Daniel is a single father and her full time carer. An iPod was also taken that she uses to play special music to help her sleep. The Christmas thief used a sheet as a sack to carry the loot.

As a deterrent Mr Arnold has now put posters up all around the house warning the the thief "If you're thinking about trying again, forget it, the police have your image".

This is the poster Daniel has put up around the home. Source: 7 News
This is the poster Daniel has put up around the home. Source: 7 News
The thief used this sheet. Source: 7 News
The thief used this sheet. Source: 7 News

"We'll still have a nice Christmas, even if we can't replace all those presents," Cadence said.

"It's not the gift, it's the thought that counts."