Toys For Tots On Lookout For Thieves Posing As Volunteers

WOODLAND (CBS13) — Thieves decided to help themselves to toy donations meant for children in need in Yolo County.

A warehouse for Toys For Tots volunteers with hundreds of toys in bins and boxes for children was targeted by someone posing as a volunteer.

It was a very unwelcome surprise for the Yolo County Marine Corps League, whose tireless volunteer efforts mean needy children will get Christmas gifts.

Woodland Police were called on Tuesday morning after a man came in saying he was going to pick up a bin for Toys For Tots. Employees were suspicious because the man didn't have authorization.

"The representatives of that business advised him, 'Hey, you're not the correct person to pick these up,' and he walked out and drove away in a light-colored tan smaller truck," said Sgt. Brett Hancock.

The employees were also aware of an earlier incident from Saturday where the Sierra Ramblers faced a similar problem. The group of retirees hosted a rally to collect toys, but later that morning a couple in their 20s came to the fairground with thier young son, saying they were there for the toy pickup. The volunteer was suspicious, but the couple had a slip of paper saying to take the toys that appeared legitimate.

It wasn't. And $2,000 worth of toys were gone.