9 Children in Toy-Buying Binge Held in $5,000 Theft

Nine children were arrested for investigation of breaking into a 70-year-old man’s home, stealing $5,000 from his safe and going on a toy and fast-food buying spree, police said.

The children were arrested last week when “everybody started buying a lot of new toys,” said San Luis Obispo Police Detective John Paulding. “Just everybody had money.”

Police said the children, ages 10 to 14, probably entered the Coral Street home through unlocked doors and windows earlier this month while the resident was on vacation.

The children bought new skateboards, bicycles, bicycle parts, surfboards, radio-controlled cars and clothes, Paulding said. They also spent a lot of money on video games and fast food.

Police had recovered only $100 of the stolen money.

“The rest was pretty much spent,” Paulding said. “We’re getting as many of the toys as possible, too.”

Seven of the children were turned over to their parents, but two--both 14-year-olds--were taken to the Juvenile Services Center because they had been on probation at the time of the crime, Paulding said.