Woman Denies Making Up Toy Theft At Community Center

EAST HILLS (KDKA) - A massive toy theft that brought the community of East Hills together was total bogus, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just three days before Christmas last month, news came in that someone had stolen 400 gifts from the East Hills Community Center, and donations began pouring in.

Toys for Tots immediately transferred $10,000 so that the allegedly stolen toys could be replaced.

One month later, police said surveillance inside the community center showed that nothing was taken.

"There is absolutely no evidence that anyone broke into the center and removed presents," said Sonya Toler, a spokesperson for Pittsburgh Police.

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Carmen Randall, the President of the East Hills Community Center, will be charged with filing a false report. She denied the accusations to KDKA's Marty Griffin.

KDKA's Marty Griffin: Did you have anything to do with the missing toys?
Carmen Randall: No! What am I going to do with missing toys?
KDKA's Marty Griffin: Did you falsify a report about a burglary?
Carmen Randall: No!

Officials say they aren't sure what would have motivated Randall to making the burglary up.

"We can't speak to her reasoning. She will have her day in court to do just that," Toler said.