4 Arizonans allegedly stole and sold donations from Toys for Tots

PHOENIX — Four Arizonans are accused of stealing from the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, the state’s Attorney General’s Office said Tuesday.

Gustavo Chavez, Lloyd Jorgenson, Melinda Stewart and Paul Lambert of Sierra Vista were indicted this summer for allegedly stealing donations and selling them.

According to the attorney’s office, the nonprofit received a donation in 2016 of over 100 footlockers of toy cars and other memorabilia, which were placed in storage units.

In May 2017, Jorgenson allegedly took at least 42 of the footlockers with thousands of toy cars from a storage unit in Hereford.

Between then and January 2019, the group allegedly worked together to sell the stolen items.

Jorgenson was charged with one count each of burglary, theft in excess of $25,000, trafficking in stolen property, illegally conducting an enterprise and conspiracy.

Chavez was charged with one count each of theft in excess of $25,000, illegally conducting an enterprise and conspiracy.

Stewart pleaded guilty to theft and will be sentenced Thursday.

Lambert died earlier this year.

The FBI recovered the 42 footlockers and their contents but said there are more that may have not been recovered.

Anyone with information on the case was asked to call 623-466-1999 or submit a tip online.

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