‘Bags and bags’ of Christmas gifts stolen in warehouse break-in, Georgia charity says
Dozens of holiday gifts won’t end up in the hands of needy kids and families this Christmas, thanks to a brazen thief.
Now, volunteers at the Empty Stocking Fund in Atlanta are scrambling to pick up the pieces after a robber smashed his way into the charity’s warehouse on Dec. 22 and helped himself to “bags and bags” of items set to be given out on Christmas.
The so-called “Grinch” took a sledgehammer to the cinder block wall, leaving behind a gaping hole and a pile of rubble, according to photos the charity posted on Facebook.
“We have invested in an alarm system to secure the space after multiple break-ins this summer but they just keep getting more creative and aggressive,” the charity said in a statement. “The loss of goods at this point of the season will be significant. The impact to the families yet to serve even more so.”
Manda Hunt, executive director of the nonprofit, described the shocking discovery.
“It looks like a war zone on this side,” Hunt told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. I mean, that’s ambition. If you put that kind of energy toward good work, imagine what you could accomplish, right?”
She said the charity is still working to figure out how much the thief got away with.
Surveillance footage captured a man enter the donation center from an opening on the street around 4 a.m., according to a police report obtained by McClatchy News. He returned to the warehouse “approximately 5 times,” police said, and was seen walking back and forth with trash bags stuffed with items.
Employees recognized the man, who they said posed as a volunteer earlier in the week.
So far, Atlanta police said they haven’t made any arrests as the break-in remains under investigation.
Launched in 1927, the Empty Stocking Fund aims to “bring joy to the lives of disadvantaged children by providing toys and gifts during the holiday season and other core essential supplies throughout the year,” according to the charity’s website. The organization also provides school supplies to students and teachers at local Title I schools.
Empty Stocking Fund volunteers said they’re determined to give Atlanta families a happy Christmas and have since launched an online fundraiser to recoup what was stolen.
“We’re not giving up and we REFUSE to let this Grinch steal Christmas,” the charity wrote.