Burglar Steals Present For South Hill Boy Battling Leukemia

SOUTH HILL, WA — Package theft is a pretty common concern during the holiday season, but there's nothing common about a theft that happened this weekend in the South Hill area. The Pierce County Sheriff's Department says last Saturday night an unidentified burglar stole a package from outside a home near the intersection of Gem Heights Dr. and 172nd in South Hill.

But it wasn't just any package. Deputies say inside, was an RC car — a gift meant for a 7-year-old boy who is battling leukemia. They've released security footage of the theft in the hopes that someone will recognize the "extra grinchy" suspect.

Even if they can't recover the stolen car however, all is not lost. Just 30 minutes after the sheriff's department released the security footage and shared the boy's story, an anonymous donor visited their South Hill Precinct to drop off a brand-new remote control truck they had purchased to replace the boy's stolen gift. Not only that, but several other community members reached out to see if they could help donate as well.

The boy's family says they are beyond thankful for the donation, and are asking everyone else with generosity to spare to consider donating to the Pierce County Santa Cops program, which provides gifts to families in need during the holiday season.