A room filled with donated toys that would've been handed out to more than a hundred needy children in Lake and Sumter Counties is now practically empty.
The Lake Sumter Families Parent Association initially received toys and clothes as donations for its annual "Angel Tree" drive.
The gifts were being stored in the Fellowship Hall at Liberty Baptist Church.
Each bag was marked for a specific child from infant to 18-years-old.
Many of whom are adopted or living with foster families in Lake and Sumter Counties.
Saturday, they were all going to be delivered. However, organizers arrived that morning, and most of the presents were gone.
“When I heard the news I was shocked. It didn't make any sense,†said Stephen Wolgamott who is President of the Lake Sumter Families Parent Association. “We're here at a church. It's Christmas time and of course we're doing this to help needy kids.â€
Wolgamott says the thieves broke in through the window, opened the door and hauled most of the gifts into a truck.
After running out of room, they rifled through the remaining bags looking for gift cards.
Deputies said the thieves got away with 130 gifts and 1,500 gift cards.
The total estimated value of the stolen merchandise is $20,000.
Wolgamott doesn’t have a clue who stole the toys.
“It had to be someone who knew we were out here. It hasn't been a highly publicized event, this was just a sorting facility,†said Wolgamott.
The criminals didn’t do a great job of covering their tracks.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office found and analyzed footprints, tire marks and the ripped bags that were left behind.
“We're sending (detectives) lists of toys that were taken to be cross referenced with pawn shops,†Wolgamott said.
Now, members of the Lake Sumter Families organization are left trying to replace the stolen presents.
They’re turning to the community one more time for help.
“We know that the people have already had a huge heart in the community. It's amazing to see what they've already done and I believe they'll step up again, and it'll probably be bigger and better than what it was the first time.â€
Organizers are asking for cash or gift card donations, since there won’t be enough time to buy new gifts for the children.
The Lake Sumter Families Parent Association initially received toys and clothes as donations for its annual "Angel Tree" drive.
The gifts were being stored in the Fellowship Hall at Liberty Baptist Church.
Each bag was marked for a specific child from infant to 18-years-old.
Many of whom are adopted or living with foster families in Lake and Sumter Counties.
Saturday, they were all going to be delivered. However, organizers arrived that morning, and most of the presents were gone.
“When I heard the news I was shocked. It didn't make any sense,†said Stephen Wolgamott who is President of the Lake Sumter Families Parent Association. “We're here at a church. It's Christmas time and of course we're doing this to help needy kids.â€
Wolgamott says the thieves broke in through the window, opened the door and hauled most of the gifts into a truck.
After running out of room, they rifled through the remaining bags looking for gift cards.
Deputies said the thieves got away with 130 gifts and 1,500 gift cards.
The total estimated value of the stolen merchandise is $20,000.
Wolgamott doesn’t have a clue who stole the toys.
“It had to be someone who knew we were out here. It hasn't been a highly publicized event, this was just a sorting facility,†said Wolgamott.
The criminals didn’t do a great job of covering their tracks.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office found and analyzed footprints, tire marks and the ripped bags that were left behind.
“We're sending (detectives) lists of toys that were taken to be cross referenced with pawn shops,†Wolgamott said.
Now, members of the Lake Sumter Families organization are left trying to replace the stolen presents.
They’re turning to the community one more time for help.
“We know that the people have already had a huge heart in the community. It's amazing to see what they've already done and I believe they'll step up again, and it'll probably be bigger and better than what it was the first time.â€
Organizers are asking for cash or gift card donations, since there won’t be enough time to buy new gifts for the children.