Thieves stole dozens of Christmas toys earlier this week from two Oahu pickup sites for Toys for Tots. Load of gifts stolen
from Toys for TotsBy Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.comWhen Marine reservists went to pick up toys collected by the Hawaii Kai branch of Bank of Hawaii on Thursday, the toys had already been picked up by a man who said he was from Toys for Tots, said Lt. Col. Sarah Fry, a Marine Corps spokeswoman.
According to the branch manager, the bank had about 20 toys for the Marine Reserves' program that collects Christmas gifts for needy children, said Bank of Hawaii spokesman Stafford Kiguchi.
Later that day, when the Marine Reservists went to Windward Dodge, about 15 to 20 toys had already been picked up by someone not associated with Toys for Tots.
The bank's security department is reviewing a videotape, which caught a suspect taking the toys, Kiguchi said. He could not confirm whether the theft was reported to police.
"We felt badly for the children and for the customers and the public who brought in the gifts," he said. "We are going to donate another $500 to the program."
He said the additional donation should more than cover the cost of the stolen toys.
The bank had made a $10,000 donation earlier.
The Hawaii Dodge/Chrysler/ Jeep Dealer Advertising Association also gave an $11,000 check to the Hawaii Toys for Tots program yesterday.
Staff Sgt. Ruben Villareal, the Hawaii coordinator for the Toys for Tots program, said in a press release about the car dealers' donation, "The toy giving had been slow this year, and because of the economic situation in the islands right now, the need for children's toys is in great demand, but this very sizable donation, we believe, will help us achieve our goal."
Fry said the Marine reservists are generally in uniform when picking up the toys and, if not, give a name and description of the driver.
Kiguchi said all 76 branches of Bank of Hawaii have been collecting toys and will be open during regular business hours Monday for further donations.