UPDATE: Akron Police say Calvin T. Hunter turned himself in Friday evening, and has been charged with felony theft in connection to the Monday, December 10th theft of roughly $1,000 worth of toys that were meant for the "Toys for Tots" campaign in Akron.
The day of the theft, Hunter posed as a volunteer at the First Faith Development building on Easter Avenue, and walked away with the donated toys.
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Akron Police Detectives have signed a warrant for felony theft on Calvin T. Hunter (pictured), 46, of Akron.
There is no last known address for Hunter, who police say signed up as a volunteer for the USMC "Toys for Tots" campaign at the First Faith Development - Toys for Tots building at 790 Easter Avenue on Monday.
Throughout the day, Hunter was observed on surveillance camera taking more than $1,000 worth of toys out the back door and loading them into a vehicle. He left with them later Monday.
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Akron Police are investigating a theft of about $5,000 worth of toys that were supposed to be donated to families in need for the annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign.
According to a press release from USMC Staff Sergeant Phillip Greer, the theives posed as volunteers and were taking higher end toys, bikes, and more out the back door of the First Faith Development Corporation building on Easter Avenue in Akron Monday night.
They were caught on surveillance video, but haven't been caught yet. Staff Sergeant Greer says that in spite of the loss, they still expect to meet the needs of the more than 15,000 children and families they serve every year.
Anyone with more information, meanwhile, is asked to call Akron Police.
See more details from the full press release below:
[Akron, OH, December 11] – Last night, people who had volunteered to help count and sort toys collected by the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program stole approximately $5,000 worth of toys. The individuals in question were working to prepare toys for the less fortunate children of Akron. Instead, they began to move toys and bikes to the back door where they then began to remove them without permission. One of the persons managing the warehouse noticed some of the higher value toys missing and investigated. She caught the individuals in the act of removing the toys for their own gain. Those involved then ran off with the toys and bikes.
The loss of the toys will have an impact on the Toys for Tots program’s ability to help the children of Akron. With the program reaching 15,000 registered children, the volunteers are hard at work preparing requests. The Marines involved in the program are working hard to ensure that no child is left without a Christmas this year. The Toys for Tots Coordinator, Staff Sergeant Greer, is confident that his Marines will be able to meet the needs of the community and execute a successful Toys for Tots season for the citizens of Summit County.
The Toys for Tots program is the Marine Corps’ nonprofit agency to provide toys to less fortunate children in local communities across the United States.