Update: Police ID Suspect in Toy Theft

Around 7:21 pm on December 14, a Salvation Army employee reported the charity’s white 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan stolen. The employee was shopping at Walmart on E. Main St. for local kids enrolled in the “Angel Tree” program, and Anthony Crespin was helping the employee shop and load the toys into the white minivan. Before the employee and other volunteers were finished purchasing the toys, Crespin drove off in the vehicle. The Salvation Army values the amount of toys and gifts inside the van at approximately $6,000. 

From Farmington Police:

Saturday, December 18, 2021

The Farmington Police Department has identified 37-year-old Anthony Crespin as a suspect in a stolen vehicle case. A warrant for unlawful taking of a motor vehicle was issued by a judge late Saturday, December 18, 2021, for Crespin.

Around 7:21 pm on December 14, a Salvation Army employee reported the charity’s white 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan stolen. The employee was shopping at Walmart on E. Main St. for local kids enrolled in the “Angel Tree” program, and Crespin was helping the employee shop and load the toys into the white minivan. Before the employee and other volunteers were finished purchasing the toys, Crespin drove off in the vehicle. The Salvation Army values the amount of toys and gifts inside the van at approximately $6,000. 

Crespin is known to frequent the Farmington and Bernalillo areas in New Mexico. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Anthony Crespin is asked to call your local police department.

The incident remains under investigation, and further information will be provided as it becomes available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the FPD Detective Tip Line at 505-599-1068.

From the Salvation Army

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

A Salvation Army van containing $6,000 worth of Christmas toys earmarked for local kids in need was stolen from The Salvation Army Farmington Tuesday night.

“The most important thing is that no one was hurt in the incident, and we are grateful for that,” said Lt. Christopher Rockwell, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army Farmington, “but our next priority is getting those toys replaced, as there are many local kids and families in need counting on them. We live in a very generous community, and if we work together, we can put smiles on a lot of kids’ faces come Christmas morning.”

The Salvation Army is expecting to provide Christmas toys for close to 350 local kids. Currently, distribution of toys to families of those kids is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m.-noon at the former Salvation Army Farmington Thrift Store at 316 W. Animas St., so time is of the essence to replace the toys. Volunteers are also needed for Monday’s distribution event.

Anyone wishing to donate new, unwrapped toys to replace those stolen and/or would like to volunteer for toy distribution on Monday, Dec. 20 is asked to please contact Lt. Rockwell at 505-327-5117 or Christopher.Rockwell@usw.SalvationArmy.org. You can also stop by The Salvation Army Farmington Corps Community Center at 319 W. Broadway.

In 2021, The Salvation Army was ranked #2 on the list of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. The Salvation Army helped more than 140,000 New Mexicans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships last year through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, shelter and clothing for the homeless, rent and utilities assistance, disaster and heat relief, senior activity and outreach, adult rehabilitation, opportunities for underprivileged children, holiday assistance, and emotional and spiritual support, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at nearly 25 centers of operation across the state. Approximately 82 cents of every dollar donated to The Salvation Army are used to support its life-transforming social services. For more information, visit Farmington.SalvationArmy.org and follow us on Facebook @SalvationArmyFarmingtonNM; #DoingTheMostGood.

Editors note: Farmington Police are actively searching for the vehicle and suspect(s):