CALIFORNIA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM UNION OFFICENBC 4 - News - Janitors' Children May Receive Rain Checks After Gifts StolenJanitors' Children May Receive Rain Checks After Gifts Stolen
Toys, Computer Equipment Taken From Union Office

POSTED: 1:31 pm PST December 15, 2005
UPDATED: 6:20 pm PST December 15, 2005

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- The children of janitors might receive rain-checks instead of toys at a Christmas party Saturday because someone broke into an office and stole about 300 gifts, police said Thursday.

The theft of the toys and some miscellaneous computer equipment occurred sometime between 11 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday. The items were taken from the offices of Service Employees International Union Local 1877, at 1516 N. Sycamore St., said Santa Ana police Sgt. Lorenzo Carrillo.

As word of the theft gets out, union leaders have received calls, Carrillo said.

"They're trying to get donations, but whoever doesn't get a toy will get a rain-check," Carrillo said. "It's just horrible."

The suspect entered the building through a window, and police have really nothing to go on, Carrillo said.

The computer equipment was valued at about $3,000, while no estimated value was put on the toys, he said.

The party is set for Saturday at the union office and is usually attended by about 1,500 children of the janitors represented by the union, who make about $16,000 to $18,000 annually, officials said.