Trial for Angel Tree thefts

CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A woman charged with allegedly taking gifts that were donated to a Christmas charity is heading to trial.

Terri Ann Mikula, 41, was ordered Monday to stand trial.

On December 11th, Mikula was arraigned on two counts of larceny from a building. She could spend 15 years behind bars because this isn't her first offense. She has been convicted for felony charges in the past involving fraud and drugs.

Her bond was set at $10,000. When asked by the judge in court if she had any questions, she responded, "Do you have $10,000?"

It was Dec. 3 when surveillance photos showed a woman walking into three Angel Tree drop-off locations and taking the donated Salvation Army toys.

Three separate police reports were filed from workers at the drop-off spots -- Delta Imports, Huntington Bank and the Ramada Plaza, all within a short distance of each other on 28th Street.

On Dec. 4, the Salvation Army said the woman was an overzealous volunteer whose "intentions were good" and was trying to do a favor for the organization. Spokesman Roger Snider told 24 Hour News 8 the woman dropped off the toys to a Salvation Army center, and they were all accounted for.

On Dec. 5, investigators from the sheriff's department said they believe the woman returned at least some of the toys to an area department store for cash. They also believe the woman may be involved in similar thefts in the Greenville area and throughout lower Michigan.

"If anyone takes any of those items, whether it's a volunteer or someone in the community, they're not really stealing from the Salvation Army, they're not taking from the places where those toys had been dropped off. But it would be equal to someone actually going inside the home of those who turned to us in need and taking toys directly out from underneath the Christmas tree. We find that to be totally unacceptable and deplorable behavior," Major Ralph Bukiewicz of the Salvation Army told 24 Hour News 8.

Mikula is the manager of the Stanton Mobile Home Park where many residents had something to say about her arrest.

"Terri, I don't know what her...awesome lady. It tears me to even hear her do something like that," said Timothy Peterman. "Last night when I heard it on the news I was very upset, I was crying, I was punching walls. It frustrated me real bad."

"Why? Why'd ya do it? You know kids need the stuff," said Junior Woodbury.

"I was like, uh! Can you imagine them poor children that's just gonna go without?" said Sara Hopkins. "There's a lot of kids. I mean… there's a couple kids down there that need toys."

"To think that we have a park manager that's out stealing from needy people," said Heather Musson.