Toys for Tots Worth $15,000 Stolen, Followed by $65,000 in Donations, Say Mass. Police

BURLINGTON, Mass. (CBS/WBZ) When $15,000 in toys for needy kids were stolen from a storage unit in suburban Boston, it threatened to put a crimp in Christmas for hundreds of children.

Days later all is bright, with fresh donations far outstripping the value of the stolen gifts.

Massachusetts police say they received more than $65,000 in donations mere days after after authorities reported that about 1,500 toys were stolen from Toys for Tots Saturday.

State police said they've received donations from businesses and private citizens ranging from $25 to $15,000, plus hundreds more toys, too.

Police said it appeared the toys taken from a storage unit in Burlington, Mass.were sorted through, and only toys valued between $15 and $30, and for children 8 and up were stolen, according to CBS affiliate WBZ. A break-in of a second storage pod was attempted, but unsuccessful.

Massachusetts State Police have partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps for 26 years in the Toys for Tots program, which collects Christmas gifts for families in need.

The theft remains under investigation and there have been no arrests.

State police ask anyone with information about the theft or who's suspicious about a large quantity of toys to call them at 508-820-2121, or Burlington police at 781-270-1914.