Indy Officers Save Family's Christmas After Burglary

Dec. 24--INDIANAPOLIS -- More than 30 Christmas presents were stolen from a home on Christmas Eve, police detectives said.

IMPD is investigating a report of a burglary at the 5700 block of Renn Lane. Detectives said Patrice Cushenberry was not home overnight, instead she was staying at the hospital with her 4-day-old son who was having complications. Cushenberry told IMPD she was at the hospital Friday night around 6:30p.m. and did not return home until around 11 in the morning on Saturday. When she arrived home, she told detectives she noticed the Christmas gifts for her three children, food from the pantries and refrigerator were missing. She also said a DVD player was taken, among other items.

"Some people's have no feelings. No soul -nothing- to come here to do that to my kids. You can do anything to me, but don't mess with my kids," Cushenberry said.

Cushenberry said the person who came into her home also took her son's baby shower gifts from his crib. Cushenberry had been splitting-up time between hospital visits and being at home with her two children for a couple of days now. "I can't even leave my house to go see about my son because somebody's going to come here and take whatever I've worked for," Cushenberry said. She was extremely emotional and upset by what happened.

Cushenberry said she worked nonstop in order to make sure she would be able to buy her children presents for the holiday. Cushenberry said she called police -immediately. "But, really, what can they do," Cushenberry said.

Throughout the morning some friends stopped by the Westside home. Cushenberry was crying all morning because she was afraid she wouldn't be able to give her children a Christmas. Little did Cushenberry know, IMPD detectives were trying to save the holiday for the Cushenberry's. Officer Rick Jones called Target and other officers within the Northwest District to see if they could do something. According to IMPD, Target donated gift cards to the family and raised money to buy gifts. Officers surprised Cushenberry with the gifts Saturday afternoon. Cushenberry couldn't help, but smile.

"It was nice for them to do that. I appreciate them doing that. They didn't have to do that for me," Cushenberry said.

"We thank God we were able to do something," Sgt. Brian Dixon. "This is the part that makes any human being feel good," Sgt. Dixon said.

At this time, detectives do not have any information on a suspect. They are investigating. If you have any information, call police.

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