Thieves Hit Operation Santa Claus, Steal Gifts

Thieves hit Operation Santa Claus, a 55-year charitable drive by SEA 1984/SEIU, the state’s largest union, during the holiday weekend stealing gifts and other items, according to police and the SEA.

Police were sent to the New Hampshire Transportation Building on Stickney Avenue in Concord on Nov. 30, in the morning, for a report that the building had been burglarized. It is unknown exactly how many gifts were lost at post time but gift cards and gifts were reportedly stolen along with tools from a liquor department shed.

“There was a break-in over the weekend at the Operation Santa Claus headquarters, and some items were stolen, including gift cards and presents for children,” according to Andrew Toland of the SEA. “This is an unfortunate incident, not just because the thieves stole from children in need, but because it takes away from all the good that our donors and volunteers do.”

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Tolland said that the org was fortunate because it was able to “minimize the losses and we’ll make sure that none of our children go without this year,” he noted.

“Going forward, we’ve taken steps to increase security, and state and local police are stepping up their presence in the area,” he said.

Operation Santa Claus was short on sponsors this year with more than 400 children gift requests unmet. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation came to the aid of these children with a generous contribution of $4,000, according to SEA. New Hampshire State Police, which took over the Concord Police investigation into the burglary, did not respond to requests for comment last night.

The NH DOT building, which is part of the city’s “opportunity corridor” for future development, has been plagued by criminal issues in the past including homeless people breaking into the compound, camping in areas in and around the compound, and setting fires, according to police reports and scanner chatter.

To make a donation to help out with the effort visit Operation Santa Claus’ website.