Boise teen Mikki Oakes may not have any formal detective training, but her quick thinking helped salvage Christmas for a Boise family.
Boise police credit the 14-year-old with the return of more than $350 worth of Christmas gifts intended for a family in her West Boise neighborhood.The gifts were delivered by UPS outside the home of the Simmonds family last week, Boise Police Officer Lori Sperry said.
The family wasn't at home, and several youngsters stole the boxes and opened them in a nearby field, Sperry said.
Oakes, who attends evening classes at Borah High School, was at her home when her 12-year-old sister Theresa alerted her to the thefts.
Oakes headed for the field. She was angered by what she found: baby clothes, toys and wrapping paper, meant for the Simmondes' 2-year-old and 6-month-old daughters, flung into the tall grass of the triangular field next to Interstate 84.
Oakes and several other youngsters picked up gift tags, toys and whatever else they could find, and took it to Oakes' house. They called UPS to have them retrieve the boxes, but got no response. They also called the Simmondses to tell them about what had happened.
Oakes then began her sleuthing. After talking to witnesses, she gathered the names of youngsters who had been seen in the field. Then, she phoned them to ask that they return the items.
When that didn't work, she headed out on foot, criss-crossing the neighborhood to confront the children personally.
"I said, `If you have anything, you had better give it to me, or the cops will come get it,' " Oakes said.
Finally, she retrieved several gifts.
Meanwhile, Sperry was investigating the crimes and learned of Oakes' involvement. Oakes led Sperry to the remaining stolen items.
Later, Sperry was able to return the gifts to the Simmondses. Attempts to reach them for comment were unsuccessful.
As for the children who took the boxes, Sperry said at least four youngsters, ages 12 and 13, could face felony possession of stolen property charges in juvenile court.