A single father is in disbelief after discovering a close family member allegedly drugged his presents in the run-up to Christmas.
According to a Dec. 20 Van Buren Sheriff’s Department report, a Paw Paw, Michigan man stole Christmas gifts purchased for his four grandchildren through a Van Buren County sheriff’s program store and sold and traded them for methamphetamine.
The man, identified as 62-year-old Donald Lucas Sr., was arrested by the narcotics unit during an investigation into methamphetamine, officials said.
Lucas’ son, Don Lucas Jr., a father of four, told local television station Fox 17: “I cried. I kept crying about it. What should I do? I can’t believe someone would come and steal the children’s gifts.”
The outlet reported that more than $1,000 in gifts were allegedly stolen.
Video by Donald Lucas Sr.
Van Buren County Sheriff
Fox 17 noted that Lucas Sr. allegedly stole the gifts after his family welcomed him to stay with them for a few days in the middle of the holiday season.
“The grandfather did not want to cooperate with our office to get the grandchildren’s gifts back,” sheriff’s department officials said.
Lucas Jr.’s four children will continue to have festive holidays because the district was able to purchase new gifts for the family.
“Our office, Paw Paw Schools and various others raised money and gift cards to make their Christmas whole again,” officials added. “We took them out shopping and made it a Christmas they won’t forget. I personally can’t thank everyone enough for what they did to make this happen.”
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Lucas Jr. is grateful for the support he has received from the community.
“I want to say, thank you and Merry Christmas,” he told Fox 17. “And it just blew my mind. How many people came forward to help us.”
Each child reportedly received more than $500 in new gifts.
According to a Dec. 12 announcement, the sheriff’s office took five families who are struggling to buy Christmas presents this year. The money was raised through local events, such as the fair, and the Meijer South Haven supermarket made donations.
“This event is near and dear to many of us and is one of the events we look forward to every year,” officials said.
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Source: HIS Education