How The Grinch Did Not Steal Christmas

MIAMI, FL — When a thief stole between 700 and 800 toys for needy children days before Christmas, the families and alumni of St. Kevin Catholic School got to work.

"This is the very first time that the toys were stolen," Principal Mayra R. Constantino told Patch. "We have been doing an Advent project with the children of the school since we opened our doors in 1980."

By Christmas, the school had not only replaced the stolen toys with new ones, it also received monetary contributions that went toward buying food for families in need over the holidays.

"Love and the gift of giving is in our hearts no matter what has happened," the principal said.

Earlier this week, the school got more good news when Miami-Dade police announced an arrest in the case.

Fifty-year-old Oscar Gomez Guerra of Hialeah was charged with third-degree grand theft, knowingly driving with a suspended license and possession of a suspended license.

Police said they believe Guerra and another person drove into the church parking lot shortly after 3 a.m. Dec. 16 and carted off the trailer full of toys. Police said they are still looking for the second person.

A break in the case came two days after the theft when police received three anonymous tips concerning Guerra and the missing toys, police said. Several toys still were in the trailer when it was recovered by police.

Constantino praised the generosity of families at the school and parish for saving the Christmases of families in need.

"This is a story of how the Grinch did not steal Christmas from our hearts and our community," Constantino told Patch.