LCSO replaces Christmas presents stolen from Nations Association

Reporter: Kim Powell
Published: Updated:

FORT MYERS, Fla.- A thief stole dozens of presents and food from Nations Association Charities on Monday, but the Lee County Sheriff’s Office is not letting criminals ruin Christmas.

“Today’s kind of bittersweet, it’s a good ending, in fact I think it’s going to end up being even bigger and better planned,” Sheriff Mike Scott said.

Sheriff Scott helped deliver the holiday gifts and food on Thursday at the Suarez Hall in Schandler Park. The charity was planning on having a Christmas party, but on Tuesday, someone with the organization arrived at the building to find the Christmas tree had been trashed, the food and drinks were gone, and the stockings full of gifts had disappeared.

“They took the toys and created a situation because tomorrow is my big day,” Dr. Israel Suarez with Nations Association said.

“It’s very callous; I liken it to breaking into a church. There’s just certain things that are worse than others and stealing from Reverend Suarez’s Christmas party is bad, real bad,” Sheriff Scott said.

Sheriff Scott says when crimes like this happen so close to the holidays, and especially to charities like the Nations Association, his team doesn’t hesitate to step in and help.

“It coincides with what we were already doing, sort of in that groove if you will of trying to bring some food and presents to those less fortunate in our community,” said Scott. “I guess it could be said that the Grinch wears green but the good guys wear green as well.”

Dr. Suarez says they’re not letting the robbery ruin the Christmas spirit, and they’re all excited to see the kids open up the presents on Christmas Day.

“Tomorrow will be the real reward when we see the young faces and the young smiles and the parents, they’re so appreciative,” Sheriff Scott said.

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