Thief Stole Toys for Tots Donations, Fire Chief Says

Update, Dec. 13: East Lake Fire Rescue's toys were not stolen after all, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Read more details here.

East Lake Fire Rescue Station Chief Tom Jamison has a warning for organizations that are taking donations for Toys for Tots: Watch out for a thief who is posing as a Toys for Tots worker.

Jamison says that around 11 a.m. Wednesday, a man who claimed to be with Toys for Tots stole an estimated $700 worth of toys that had been donated at East Lake Fire Rescue Station No. 57. The thief took two boxes of toys, two garbage bags of toys and a child's bike.

"It's extremely frustrating. I think it's stooping pretty low to take toys that are donated and intended for less privileged children at Christmas. To do something like this is despicable," said Jamison.

East Lake Fire Rescue staff told Patch the man was well dressed; he wore a suit and also introduced himself when he arrived. They could not recall the name the man gave them.

Staff members say the man was driving a white pickup truck carrying many Toys for Tots boxes filled with toy donations in the bed of the truck, which made it appear that he picked up toys from other donation locations.

"I feel horrible. I don't like the fact that someone would walk in and do something like this," said East Lake Fire Rescue Office Manager Marianne Wayne.

The staff at the fire station assumed the man was with Toys for Tots because someone from the organization called Tuesday to let them know the toys would be picked up Dec. 12.

However, on Wednesday, after the man left with the toys, they became suspicious because a woman from Toys for Tots called them saying she would be there soon to pick up the toys. East Lake Fire Rescue staff then called Toys for Tots, who said they do not have anyone matching the man's description out picking up toy donations.

"I got no one out there with a suit on driving a white pickup truck," said Robin Fancher, who is the warehouse coordinator for Pinellas County Toys for Tots.

"Every year we have people that do this. It's hard to catch these people without a camera," Fancher told Patch.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office was informed of the theft, and a deputy was at the fire station Wednesday collecting information about the incident.

East Lake Fire Rescue staff members provided Patch with the following description of the man-

• Caucasian
• 6-foot tall
• 180 pounds
• Short, blond or brown hair
• Clean shaven
• Wearing a charcoal colored suit and black lace-up shoes

Get updates to this story and others by signing up for the free East Lake Patch email newsletter.