A theft at a Toys-R-Us store in Westland has a surprise ending. A man took off with a young mother's cash. But, customers stepped up and salvaged her Christmas.
Click on the video player to watch Robin Schwartz's report.
Tiairra Chambry, 22, headed home with a trunk full of gifts for her 2 year old daughter. But, their Christmas Eve shopping trip to a Toys-R-Us in Westland almost didn't end that way. She says the trouble started when a man approached her and offered to help get a larger item.
"So I gave him my ticket for my easel and he said I could give him the money cause he was gonna take it right up to the register," she says.
Tiairra handed over her items and her money and watched the man walk toward the front of the store. But, a few minutes later when she walked up to the checkout, the man was gone and so was her cash!
"He looked like he was security," she says. "He looked like he was extra help because Toys-R-Us hires extra help during the season."
Police came and questioned her in the back of a squad car. At first, they thought she may be connected to the man because he told other customers Tiairra was his niece. But, she says she's never seen the man before. Crying, and certain she'd be going home empty-handed, some compassionate customers - total strangers - surprised her and saved the day.
"Her name was Clarita. She bought all of my daughter's Christmas gifts for her and told me, 'I'm really sorry this happened to you and Merry Christmas." Then two other nice ladies I didn't catch their name also bought [my daughter] a gift. So, a bad situation turned good at the end."
Tiairra is hoping police will look at store surveillance video to try and catch the suspect before he does this to somebody else.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:22 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:22:48 GMT
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
Monday, May 13 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:19:48 GMT
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
Saturday, May 11 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-12 01:28:26 GMT
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing was among dozens of volunteers who came out to clean up various neighborhoods Saturday. It was all part of Motor City makeover, now in it's second weekend.
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing was among dozens of volunteers who came out to clean up various neighborhoods Saturday. It was all part of Motor City makeover, now in it's second weekend.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:25 GMT
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.
