JENSEN BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Her shirt said “Queen,” but her actions were more like the Grinch.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said its deputies arrested 64-year-old Cecilia Josephine Milano Thursday after tips from the public led to her identification. Milano is accused of stealing a donation box filled with toys from a Jensen Beach restaurant on Dec. 12 — gifts intended for a local family in need.
According to investigators, security footage shows Milano dragging the large donation box out of the restaurant last Friday night. When questioned by a patron, she claimed she was taking the toys to a donation center. Sheriff John Budensiek says that never happened, and Milano was never authorized by any organization to handle the donations.
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“She alludes to, “I’m taking it to the fairgrounds now.” The (Martin County) fairgrounds is currently doing a Christmas drive for one of our other non-profits (United Way Holiday Project) right now,” said Sheriff Budensiek on Dec. 16. “We tried to make sure that she was not actually working for a non-profit. She is not working for United Way, which she referenced, and she’s not working for Rina.”
Her shirt said ‘Queen,’ but deputies say she stole Christmas cheer. A 64-year-old woman is accused of dragging away a donation box filled with toys meant for a struggling family in Jensen Beach. (MCSO)
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The toys were part of a holiday drive to support a family facing hardship, according to the sheriff’s office. Milano was booked into the Martin County Jail on a $2,500 bond.