Toys stolen from Angel Tree dropoffs

The Salvation Army and police are looking into the thefts of toys for the WOOD TV8/WOTV 4 Salvation Army Angel Tree Toy Drive.

The first crime occurred around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at one of the program's dropoff sites -- Delta Imports at 6025 28th Street in Grand Rapids.

A woman arrived at the dealership claiming to be from the Salvation Army and told employees she was there to pick up the toys. She then loaded her vehicle with about a dozen toys and drove away.

Erica Kaiser, the warranty administrator at Delta Imports, said she was in her office when a sales representative came and told her what happened. Kaiser knew immediately something was wrong and filed a police report.

"They said she had something around her neck that looked like some type of ID. But nobody looked at it close enough to see what it was," an officer at the scene described the thief.

The Kent County Sheriff's Department says a few minutes later it received a similar complaint occurring blocks away at the Huntington Bank located at  6174 28th Street. About 60 gifts were stolen from this location.

Police say the suspect is described as a white woman, 30-40 years old, about 5'3" tall, having a medium to slender build and redish blond, shoulder-length hair. Her vehicle is described as an older, medium-sized, dark-colored sedan.

The thefts are discouraging for Kaiser who helped start the program at her dealership. This is their first year.

"I understand times are tough for everybody. But for someone to come in and take something that was supposed to be for people that can't have for themselves, it's really depressing," she told 24 Hour News 8.

Delta Imports employees are trying to make up for the loss. Kaiser said the company will replace the stolen toys to make sure children who are in need don't go without this holiday season.

If you would like to help donate, you can find a list of legitimate Angel Tree dropoff locations in the Community section of WOODTV.com. Those at these sites are asked to deliver their toys to the Salvation Army unless they make arrangements ahead of time with the organization. No unscheduled pickups should be occurring at any location.