Jan. 12--A park board commissioner from North Chicago and two park district employees, including the commissioner's son, have been charged with stealing thousands of dollars worth of donated toys from a park district facility shortly before Christmas, officials said.
Foss Park District Commissioner Susan Dixon and parks employees Tommie Kindle and Mark Dixon all appeared in Lake County court Monday morning on charges of felony theft.
The toys, dropped off by the Marine Corps, were intended for children signed up for a Toys for Tots program, officials said.
Prosecutors said the three were seen removing bags of toys from a park district facility and were told by another employee who inquired that they were "extra" toys. A park district official then watched surveillance video, which prosecutors said showed the three removing the toys.
Kindle's attorney said during the bond hearing Monday that Kindle was merely following Susan Dixon's instructions when he placed the toys into a car.
Officials said the value of the toys was more than $500.
