Thieves Raid Operation Dreamkeeper Toy Storage, Stealing Christmas From Stockton Children
STOCKTON (CBS13) — Thousands of dollars of toys intended for needy children were stolen from a Stockton home.
David Cloxton, the director of a local charity, kept the donations from local businesses stashed away in his basement. It was a safe place, until thieves changed that on Sunday.
"Some of these children, it is the only gift they will have," Cloxton said.
He first noticed something was wrong when his tools were missing from his basement. As he walked around, his fishing tools and toolbox were also gone from a part of his house he says is hard to notice exists from the outside.
"I noticed the window open and two of the bars missing," he said.
That's when his fears were realized—the toys meant for needy children were gone.
"I started looking around and saw empty toy boxes that were once full of wrapped toys," he said. "We had Nerf guns, brand new purses, MP3 players, those types of gifts."
The losses total more than $2,600, and with less than two months until Christmas, Cloxton admits it won't be easy to replace the toys in time for Operation Dreamkeeper.
"Our hope is to rebound, and not turn one child away this year," he said.
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