Long Beach and L.A. residents are stepping up to help after thieves stole half a truckload of toys that were collected for children in need by a man known by local residents as “Hood Santa.”
The theft happened on Sunday in Downtown Los Angeles after a music festival took place where toys were collected by the Local Hearts Foundation. The thieves broke into a U-Haul and stole hundreds of gifts that were being stored inside.
After “Hood Santa,” whose real name is Tito Rodriguez according to the Long Beach Post , wrote about the theft on social media, he said donations poured in, and the U-Haul was filled again.
“Hood Santa” will be handing out the toys to children on Saturday at MacArthur Park in Long Beach.