LEE COUNTY: Deputies have arrested a man suspected of stealing donated toys from the Salvation Army and it is believed he tricked two children into playing a role in the crime.
Leroy Allen, 44, is charged with burglary, grand theft, criminal mischief and dealing in stolen property.
Investigators say he broke into the Salvation Army warehouse on November 14th and stole $700 worth of toys meant for the "Toy for Tots" program.
Deputies say information gathered during the investigation led them to a residence in Pine Manor. Detectives were speaking to a father and daughter at the home when they noticed a large number of toys inside.
Interviews and investigation revealed the daughter and a friend of hers were asked by Allen to accompany him to a warehouse. He told the children that it was "closed" and "throwing away toys."
Once they arrived at the Salvation Army, Allen allegedly told the children to wait in the car while he went to find the toys. He returned a few minutes later with a large box filled with toys.
The daughter told investigators that she got suspicious and asked Allen if the toys were stolen, but he insisted that the warehouse was "going out of business."
Allen then made two more trips into the warehouse, each time returning with more boxes full of toys.
Allen is a transient and gave some of the toys to the daughter. She thought he was paying her back for the $5 she loaned him to buy food a few days earlier.
Deputies say Allen also sold some of the stolen toys to someone on the street for approximately $17.
Detectives continue to investigate whether Allen was involved in a second burglary at the Salvation Army, which happened a couple days later. They're also trying to see if others were involved in the burglaries.
However, detectives have not said how old the girls are and whether their involvement is considered criminal.
Allen will face a judge the day after Christmas.
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