South Bend, IN: Cops saved the day for a young family who was burglarized on Christmas eve by replacing the stolen gifts with news ones for the family’s children.
A “real-life Grinch” lived true to his name by stealing all the presents that were neatly wrapped under the family Christmas tree. The burglar was the total opposite of Santa. He (or she) even stole some of the food that was in the refrigerator.
How low can someone go?
At approximately 11 am on Christmas eve, South Bend police responded to a burglary call. When they arrived they discovered a heartbreaking scene of the gifts being stolen along with the innocent dreams of the children.
Union Rep Speaks to Media
Ofc. Meador, one of the Fraternal Order or Police representatives spoke with local media about the crime. He stated:
“They [the family] found out that the house had been burglarized, and in the process the individual had taken all the gifts and even some food out of their refrigerator. So they really left this family with nothing much at all.”
He continued:
“Yep, true life Grinch [that] cleaned them out. Not even the Who-hash or the Roast Beast (was left). It was all taken.”
The officers weren’t going to just write up a report and leave the scene. They decided to do something about it and let the Grinch know he didn’t steal the Christmas spirit. The officers that responded to the burglary scene reached out to Ofc. Meador to see what can be done about this unfortunate incident.
FOP Lodge #36 stepped up and answered the call.
Ofc. Meador told local media:
“I had asked if we had anything extra. We do keep items here at the station for just instances just like this.”
The FOP runs a program that helps families in need in the area, especially during the holiday season. The program, named the Santa’s Elficers luckily had some leftover items that were stored back at the station. With short notice, boxes of brand new toys were delivered to the home of the young family.
Video Released Goes Viral
In a video released, officers can be seen present when they called for the mother, who was carrying a sleeping baby, and escorted by her two young daughters into the living room. In an instant, the little girls, no older than 3 years old, run towards the Christmas tree where they happily cheered at the new gifts the Elficers provided.
It was reported that the Elficer’s have already donated more than 500 gifts to local children and food to families. And thankfully, they had a few toys left for the family.
Ofc. Meador credits the work done by everyone involved and said:
“It’s really why we keep these things here. It is a collaborative effort with the FOP #36. But the police department, the Michiana community- without all the donations we wouldn’t be able to do anything like this.”
Ofc. Meador openly stated that the experience brought joy to his heart just like the toys brought joy to the children. He stated:
“I was able to go out and help deliver the food and the gifts and to see those little girls faces when they saw the presents under the tree and then started playing with them- that’s why we do what we do. That’s the positive part. That’s what keeps us going as officers.“
He continued:
“I hope it’s a memory for them that’ll last a lifetime. Maybe someday they’ll be in a position to give back.”
And it will last a lifetime. Memories are built on very special occasions like this. And it was a special occasion for everyone involved- the cops, the FOP lodge, the family and the community at large.
It is not clear whether or not the burglar was ever caught. But he (or she), the Grinch, deserves a little jail time to think about the crime and about the true spirit of Christmas.
Enjoy the rest of the holiday season and be safe out there.
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Have you read these other stories?
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