Toys For Tots Warehouse Burglarized In Harford County

EDGEWOOD, Md. (WJZ) -- Some children in Harford County may go without the gifts they were hoping for under the tree this year. That's because the local Toys for Tots warehouse was burglarized over the weekend.

Amy Yensi spoke with volunteers about how this sets them back.

At the Toys for Tots in Edgewood, volunteers are doing their best to bring holiday cheer to needy children, but their spirit of giving was trampled on when some of the donated toys were stolen---just days away from Christmas.

"The Grinch. That's him; he was here," said Toys for Tots Harford County Coordinator Gene Wlock.

At least 40 Hess toy trucks and a life-size Darth Vader action figure were swiped from the shelves, stolen from the Pulaski Highway storage building between Friday night and Saturday morning.

Volunteers say that whomever took the toys was very careful. The warehouse was found intact and, for the most part, only high-priced and collectible items were missing.

"They could have rummaged through things and cleaned out all the shelves and it wasn't like that," said Jewell Templeton.

"They were shopping because they knew exactly where to go and what to move to find other things," said Wlock.

About $1,000 worth of toys for children and families in need were all gone.

Major William Davis says Harford County police are looking at everyone who might have had access to the building.

"The building did not have any type of forced entry," Davis said. "There was nobody kicked in the door or broke a window or anything like that."

Jewell Templeton has been volunteering with Toys for Tots for five years. She says anyone who would steal from children during Christmas should be held accountable.

"Think about what you're doing. This is all about children. Children deserve a Christmas," she said.

The Darth Vader toy had a sign on it saying, "Do not give away." They were holding on to it in hopes of finding a child who is a Star Wars fan and would really appreciate the toy. Unfortunately now that can't happen. Police are asking the public to keep an eye out for anyone trying to sell the stolen toys.

Anyone with information is asked to report their information online here, by texting (text 274637 and then begin message MCS) or by calling 1-888-540-8477. Any tips can be given anonymously.