Riverside police officers save Christmas for burglary victims
Some Riverside police officers saved Christmas for a family whose presents were stolen right out from under their tree in a burglary, the department said Tuesday.
Late Christmas Eve the single mother and her two sons returned to their apartment and discovered the burglary, according to a Riverside Police Department press release.
"I was like, 'Oh my gosh, this cannot be happening,'" said Aleeshia Clark, whose apartment was targeted.
The patrol officers who responded took a report and left, but decided to do more for the family, officials said.
They retrieved extra toys that were collected at the station, while other officers and dispatchers donated $700 to save the family's Christmas.
Just before 3:30 a.m. Sunday, the officers returned to the apartment to deliver the goods and Riverside firefighters followed a few hours later. Body cam footage shows Clark in tears as the officers handed over the gifts early Christmas morning.
"We couldn't be more proud of our officers and dispatchers here at Riverside Police Department," a statement read. "We promise our detectives will do everything they can to identify and find this criminal scrooge who tried to ruin Christmas in Riverside."
After learning of the incident, the Riverside Fire Department also stopped by with more gifts for the family.
Since they had been treated to so much in such a short time, the Clark family decided to share the holiday spirit, gifting some of the toys to other kids living in their apartment complex.
"That's what you should do: pay it forward," Clark said. "That's how they keep going, how blessings keep happening."
A video of the officers delivering the presents and money can be seen via the Riverside Police Department YouTube channel.
