Suspect Held in Theft of Christmas Toys
A man suspected of stealing about $10,000 worth of Christmas toys and gifts destined for disadvantaged children was arrested Wednesday by Orange County sheriff’s detectives and Santa Ana police.
The stolen gifts, part of an annual project called Operation Santa Claus, were taken from a storeroom of the county General Service Agency office at 1300 S. Grand Ave. sometime Saturday or Sunday. In addition to the toys and gifts, about $10,000 worth of office equipment was taken.
“We’ve arrested a suspect, but we haven’t recovered any of the toys,” said Sheriff’s Department Lt. Dick Olson.
Olson said Billy Clark Green, 19, was arrested at his home in Santa Ana about 5:30 p.m. Olson declined to say what was found at Green’s home, but he said, “We did obtain evidence linking him to the burglary.”
Olson said interrogation of the suspect was continuing Wednesday night and that officers hoped there would be some lead to the missing toys and Christmas gifts.
Barbara McInerny, director of Operation Santa Claus, said that efforts are continuing to replace the missing toys and gifts. For the past 22 years, Operation Santa Claus has collected gifts for children of poor families or in foster homes and for senior citizens.
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