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Yuba-Sutter Salvation Army Burglarized, Gifts For Needy Families Stolen

MARYSVILLE (CBS13) – Thieves have stolen Christmas for dozens of needy families in the Yuba-Sutter area.

The Yuba-Sutter Salvation Army says someone was able to break into their Marysville facility between Thursday night and Friday morning. They smashed a window and pulled off a board on a door to get to the clothes and toys. In all, 200 toys were taken.

"The maintenance man called me and told me one of my windows was broken out so I rushed over here and it was devastating," said Lanay Gouailhardou, social service director for The Salvation Army.

"The first row of toys were taken," said Capt. Tom Stambaugh.

The items were supposed to be given out Friday at noon to 100 families, officials say. Volunteers had no way of letting parents know the presents were gone until they showed up today.

"More Legos and Hot Wheels-type toys to play with and to just open presents on Christmas Day," said Ciara Bradley, whose son's toys were stolen.

Bradley was told to come back on Monday.

"Hopefully over the next weekend with donors helping us putting money in the red kettle we'll recoup these toys."

With only six days until Christmas, volunteers hope they can still deliver a happy Christmas to the 100 families who had theirs stolen.

The Christmas lists of what the kids wanted were on the bags that were stolen, so the Salvation Army will accept any toy or monetary donation at this time. You can donate to the red kettles or drop off donations at the Salvation Army office in Yuba City.

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