Earlier Saturday morning a pair of thieves broke into two storage pods in a parking lot outside the Greater Bridgeport Christian Fellowship Church on Boston Avenue.
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The heartless thieves, captured on security camera video , stole hundreds of donated toys designated as gifts for needy children. Church leaders say they had collected roughly $8,000 worth of gifts.
One of the donors, Wally Landmesser, spent $2,000 on gifts for the kids. Those toys are now gone.
"This church does such a good job for the community," Landmesser said. "Every year back to school program participates in the community. I'm at a loss for words."
Erica Mercer, a single mother of three, received a half-dozen donated toys just last week. She feels awful for the many families left empty-handed.
"It breaks my heart," Mercer said. "Because I'm actually a teacher and I work with lots of unfortunate children. And it's very hard, it's a hard thing."
As police continue their search for the two suspects, toy drive organizers hope kind-hearted contributors will step forward with additional gifts for the kids.
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