Police: Thieves in CT steal hundreds of donated toys designated for needy children

Joe Torres Image
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Police: Thieves in CT steal hundreds of donated toys designated for needy children
Police: Thieves in CT steal hundreds of donated toys designated for needy childrenJoe Torres reports on the theives in Connecticut who stole hundreds of donated toys designated for needy children

BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut (WABC) -- Police in Bridgeport are on the hunt for some Christmas Grinches.

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.

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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