Pair accused of stealing from charity, go to naughty list, jail booking log

Two men who police say tried to pilfer Christmas joy Sunday from Hosea Feed the Hungry and its recipients moved to the naughty list and the jail booking log.

Atlanta police arrested Navada Jackson, 32, and Desmond Sigers, 28, for trying to steal bags of toys donated for the non-profit’s clients.

“The Grinch had plans to spoil Christmas for Atlanta’s needy kids,” Atlanta police spokesman Sgt. Curtis Davenport told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “But we thought otherwise.”

Elisabeth Omilami, CEO of the organization said she was disturbed by the attempt.

“When you’re trying to serve people and you find out that somebody is trying to rob you, it’s very disappointing," Omilami said. “If you’re hungry and in need, just ask and we’ll give it to you.”

Her husband, HFTH chief operating officer Afemo Omilami was glad no toys were lost. But he lamented the situation the two bandits find themselves in.

“I’m just glad they were caught in the act,” he said. “But our mission is to provide for the community so that people don’t become desperate and steal and rob.”

Around 10:30 a.m., Sunday, HFTH staffer Reginald Smith called police after hearing noise inside an area of the Hosea building at 1035 Donnelly Ave., police said.

Davenport said Smith “advised police that he could hear the suspects inside the building near a hole that had been cut in the door.”

Police said officers peeked through the hole to find Jackson trying to shove a bag full of toys out of the building where more toy-filled sacks were already scattered and waiting.

Jackson was arrested.

Officers searched the building and said they found Sigers hiding in between crates near the entry hole, Davenport said.

Sigers was charged with burglary, and Jackson was charged with burglary, lying to police and illegal gang activity.

This isn’t the first such Christmas caper in recent years. And it’s hardly the boldest.

In November 2007, over the Thanksgiving weekend, thieves looted the Empty Stocking Fund – a holiday charity for which The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is a long-time participating sponsor – lifting more than $50,000 worth of MP3 players, dolls digital radios and other items meant to be gifts for poor children.

Most egregious about that theft was the fact that the toys were warehoused in the old City of Atlanta-owned annex building, City Hall East … downstairs from the police department.

Although the burglars escaped capture, individuals and businesses from around the metro area rallied to replace the gifts intended for some 46,000 youth.