Toys For Donation Stolen From Near South Side DCFS

CHICAGO (CBS)-- Toys in a room in the Department of Children and Family Services, in the Prairie District area, were stolen Sunday afternoon.

DCFS, located in the 1900 block of S. Indiana Ave., collects toys to donate to local children in foster homes during the holiday season at an annual Christmas party. Some of the toys arrived Saturday, and a staff member notified police of the missing toys on Sunday.

"Someone apparently was rummaging through to see what they could find, and the people bringing in the toys on Sunday discovered it," DCFS spokesman Neil Skene stated in an email.

There was no sign of a break-in and a DCFS spokesperson believes the toys were stolen by someone who has access to the building.

High-end electronics and gift cards that were locked up in another location in the building were not stolen. Also, due to rain on Saturday, much of the toy delivery for DCFS was delayed until Sunday, so not all of the toys collected for the annual Christmas party were stolen.

"So the grinch has not stolen Christmas. The police are involved and it's an active investigation, but Santa assures us there will still be lots of toys for the kids this year. It's a very happy event every year, and it's going to be a very happy event this year," Skene said.

Police said no one was in custody Monday morning.