FARMINGTON — The man accused of stealing a Salvation Army van full of donated toys was arrested in Albuquerque earlier this month and is being held at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center while he attends a hearing into his alleged probation violations waits.
Anthony Crespin, 37, was charged with a fourth-degree felony on December 18 for illegally driving a motor vehicle, according to court documents.
On December 14, Crespin allegedly stole a Toyota minivan owned by the Salvation Army from the parking lot of a Farmington Walmart, according to the Daily Times archives.
He had no legal counsel as of Tuesday.
When news of the stolen van broke, the community took action and donated toys and gifts to a toy drive aimed at bringing a Merry Christmas to 1,500 children in the community. The theft resulted in the donation of at least 3,000 to 5,000 toys, along with pledges of more than $50,000 to The Salvation Army’s Farmington Corps Community Center.
Crespin was arrested by Albuquerque police on Jan. 7, according to Farmington Police spokeswoman Nicole Brown.
Brown added that Crespin was extradited on Jan. 13 and committed to the San Juan County Adult Detention Center.
According to the affidavit with warrant, Crespin is charged with stealing a 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan from the Walmart parking lot at 4600 E. Main St. in Farmington.
Farmington Police were dispatched at around 7:21pm following reports of a stolen vehicle.
The Salvation Army executive enlisted the help of a friend and Crespin to shop for gifts for local children participating in the Angel Tree program.
Crespin allegedly stole the van along with $6,000 worth of gifts while the clerk finished shopping. About 350 children participated in the Angel Tree program.
The van was later recovered in Sandoval County, but none of the gifts were found.
Crespin’s first appearance at Farmington Magistrates Court has been postponed from Tuesday to Thursday, according to court documents.
The San Juan County Attorney’s Office has filed filings to revoke Crespin’s probation from a drug offense conviction and have him serve three years at the New Mexico Department of Justice, according to court documents.
Comments are closed.