It appears the story of a woman walking into the Wings-to-Go store in Fairless Hills and stealing items out of a Toys for Tots collection box is a bust.
The story first spread through social media when 6abc aired a story on their newscast Monday showing surveillance video of the unidentified woman removing items from the recognizable toy donation box. On Wednesday morning, the television station said Toys for Tots officials have identified the woman as a volunteer and not a thief.
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Police Lt. Guy Sava told LevittownNow.com the eatery did not file a police report and officers responded Tuesday after hearing about the incident to collect information. Sava said Wednesday his department is aware of the report the woman was working with Toys for Tots and was working to confirm that information as of 11 a.m.
Co-owner of the Fairless Hills Wings-to-Go Valerie Niedrist said the store’s general manager discovered the supposed theft when reviewing surveillance tapes. Staff called Toys for Tots twice and both times they were told the woman did not work for organization. From there, Niedrist said the general manager got the owners permission to share the story with 6abc.
The video of the woman shows her looking around before taking toys from the box. Niedrist said the woman did not identify herself as working for Toys for Tots.
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Toys for Tots called the eatery after the report aired to say the woman was working for them, Niedrist said. She added toy collections have always previously been scheduled by Toys for Tots in advance.
The Wings-to-Go staff told 6abc reporter Walter Perez they did not file a police report because they wanted the woman to keep gifts. The staff hoped people who saw the broadcast would donate to their local Toys for Tots drive.
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“The donations since have been ridiculous,” Niedrist said. She said the “bottom line” is more donations now mean more needy kids can have gifts this holiday season.
An attempt to get in touch with the local chapter of Toys for Tots was unsuccessful.
