Time is of the essence for the Salvation Army in New Mexico because it affected the organization's Christmas toy program.
A white van, filled with
toys valued at $ 6,000 that were to be delivered to hundreds of children
, was stolen this week from the parking lot of a Farmington store.
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"It's something the Grinch would do," Farmington police spokeswoman Nicole Brown told the Farmington Daily Times.
Brown said the incident happened last Tuesday and a detective has already conducted several interviews.
Police are still investigating the event.
On Facebook, Farmington police posted a photo of the white truck, a Toyota Sienna, and called on the public for help in finding it.
An image of the stolen vehicle in Farmington, New Mexico. Farmington, New Mexico Police Department
“We feel shock and disbelief because how could anyone do that?
It was an identified vehicle and it was full of gifts for the kids, "said Christopher Rockwell of the Salvation Army of Farmington in an interview with KOB-TV.
More than 350 children were to receive those toys on December 20.
Now, the organization hopes to fix the theft of gifts before Monday.
Rockwell said the community has already responded in a massive way by donating more toys and sums of money.
[A 4-year-old boy from New Zealand called the police. The emergency? Show them their toys]
“The response from the communities and everything they are doing is absolutely heartwarming.
Farmington and the Four Corners area are very generous, ”he said.
The Salvation Army operates 25 centers in New Mexico and provides religious services, food, shelter and clothing for the homeless, among other assistance.
With information from The Associated Press and the Farmington, New Mexico City Police Department