A real life “Grinch” drove away from a Walmart parking lot in a van filled with $6,000 worth of Salvation Army “Angel Tree” program presents for children in need, according to Farmington, N.M. police.
Now authorities are on the lookout for the man, who they have identified as 37-year-old Anthony Crespin. They have also asked the public for help.
Police said that Crespin had been helping a Salvation Army employee load gifts into a white 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan on Dec. 14. While the employee and volunteers continued to shop, Crespin drove off with the vehicle and Walmart merchandise the Salvation Army said was worth approximately $6,000 around 7:21 p.m. that evening.
A judge issued a warrant for unlawful taking of a motor vehicle on Dec. 18.
“Crespin is known to frequent the Farmington and Bernalillo areas in New Mexico” said The Farmington Police Department. “Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Anthony Crespin is asked to call your local police department.”
By Monday, police had located the minivan in Sandoval County, N.M. – around a two-hour drive from Farmington – but the presents were gone.
Police said the incident remains under investigation.
After word of the incident got out, the Farmington Salvation Army received 500 to 600 toys, 400 to 500 pieces of clothing and approximately $30,000 in cash donations for the “Angel Tree” drive, said Salvation Army Farmington Corps Officer Lt. Christopher Rockwell of the non-profit organization’s local branch.
“God has a way of taking tragedies and turning them into blessings,” Rockwell said, according to the Farmington Daily Times. “That’s what he's done here and that people have responded amazingly.”
Anyone with information regarding the incident can call the Farmington police detective line at 505-599-1068.
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