Thieves steal $5,000 worth of toys from Akron Toys for Tots
Two suspects seen on video removing presents for kids.
A couple of volunteers turned out to be grinches, stealing some $5,000 worth of toys from the local Toys for Tots storage area at First Faith Development Corp. in Akron.
Akron Police are investigating the theft at 790 Easter Ave. that happened Monday night.
The theft occurred days before many of the toys are to be distributed.
Staff Sgt. Phillip Greer, coordinator of the local U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program in this area, said Wednesday morning that the suspects were seen on surveillance video.
“As I understand it, they began to shuttle stuff and hide stuff outside,” using a barrier of boxes to hide themselves from the view of others in the warehouse, Greer said.
They took bikes, kitchen playsets and other toys.
He said Monday evening was apparently the first time the suspects had volunteered.
Traci Higgenbottom-Williams, who works with the Toys for Tots program, told Fox 8 Cleveland that this was the first year the program was opened up to volunteers.
Traditionally, she said, a small group of staff members sorts the toys and gets them ready for distribution.
An Akron police report lists two suspects, one man and woman.
The police report says the suspect were seen taking at least $1,000 worth of toys from the building. Higginbottom told Fox 8 Cleveland that the loss is estimated at $5,000.
She has worked with the program for 20 years, she told the television station, and she is not aware of any similar incidents.
Faith Apostolic Development Corp. is a community outreach program of First Faith Apostolic Church.
“We wouldn’t be able to reach this many people without them [those at Faith Apostolic Development Corp.],” Greer said.
“We’re working tirelessly to ensure we can help as many children as possible — at or around 15,000 children this year,” he said. “We’re not going to let some unscrupulous people stop us from helping.”
Bigger goal
Last year, Toys for Tots distributed more than 59,000 toys to more than 11,000 Summit County children. This year, the Marines have set a goal of collecting enough toys to provide Christmas for some 15,000 local children.
Greer said that anyone wishing to donate toys in person can do so by dropping them off at the Easter Avenue building from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Many of the toys are to be distributed Saturday at the Easter Avenue building.
Donations of money can be made by going to https:// akron-oh.toysfortots.org.
Greer said that Toys for Tots organizers like to give three toys to each child, one item worth about $20 to $30 dollars and two smaller items, as well as a book. He said more books are needed.