SANFORD, Fla. — A Sanford man already on felony probation was arrested Sunday, accused of stealing toys from a church that were meant for children in need.
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Sanford police responded to RiverWalk Church of God Saturday to investigate a theft report.
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A church employee explained to police how a volunteer, later identified as 50-year-old Eric Hatcher, had been helping box children’s toys for Christmas in exchange for community service hours when he was caught stashing full boxes of toys away from where they were supposed to be placed.
According to his arrest report, when confronted by the employee, Hatcher admitted that he needed the toys for his own children.
When he was told the toys were for children in need, police say Hatcher left the building with two bags filled with an estimated $500 worth of toys.
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According to the arrest report, Hatcher was confronted again in the parking lot but was able to speed away in his car.
When they tracked him down the next day, police say Hatcher initially denied leaving the church with any toys, but then changed his story to say the toys were given to him.
Hatcher was arrested and charged with first-degree petit theft. He was also charged with violating his probation from a previous conviction out of Seminole County on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault without intent to kill.
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Hatcher had been sentenced to two years of community supervision in late August.
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