DANVILLE, Va. – UPDATE
The Danville Police Department has provided an update after it was reported that a woman allegedly stole a Toys for Tots donation bin.
According to the Danville Police Department, there was no crime committed.
After the woman involved saw the news, she came forward and returned the toys collected, authorities said.
The whole thing was a misunderstanding, according to police.
“The individual, who entered Planet Fitness by mistake, showed an authentic email from Toys for Tots to the Planet Fitness staff who then loaded all the toys from the bin into her vehicle. The individual mistakenly went into Planet Fitness instead of the Toys for Tots office next door,” DPD’s statement read, in part. “It was a misunderstanding on the part of Planet Fitness staff.”
The misunderstanding left Danville Toys for Tots co-director Ken Sutton distressed.
“We were really panicked because again we have so many orders. We still probably have 180 families to take care of,” Sutton said.
The toys were returned Tuesday afternoon, much to Sutton’s relief.
“We’re relieved that she turned herself in. She saw the news and turned herself in,” he said.
Sutton said they’re still asking for donations because even with the returned toys, it’s still not enough.
“With that, it’s going to help out a little, but we’re still low and asking for more donations,” he said.
ORIGINAL STORY
The Danville Police Department is searching for a woman who allegedly stole from a Toys for Tots donation bin in Danville, mere weeks before Christmas.
Authorities said the larceny occurred on Monday, Dec. 4 at the Planet Fitness on Riverside Drive.
The organization reports that she stole at least $1,000 worth of items set to be given out to kids this Christmas.
According to investigators, the suspect was able to take the toys from the business by providing false information about who she was.
When the official Toys for Tots representative came roughly a week later on Monday, Dec. 11, it was discovered that the contents of the donation bin had been stolen by the woman, who had claimed to be someone she was not, authorities said.
We’re told that she left the scene in a white four-door Chevrolet sedan driven by a male who hasn’t been identified. Authorities do not know the tags.
“The Danville Police Department advises area businesses to be aware of who is picking up donations, and to confirm their information and association with the charity before allowing them to leave with any items,” authorities said.
Anyone who has information is asked to please contact the Danville Police Department by either calling patrol at 434-799-6510 option 4, investigations at 434-799-6508 option 1, and option 1 again, calling 911, contacting Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000, approach any officer you see, through social media, via email crimetips@danvilleva.gov, or use our crime tips app CARE at www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=818#.
Individuals with information leading to an arrest and conviction could be eligible for a cash reward, authorities said.