PERU, Ind. — On Christmas morning, Santa Claus is supposed to creep into your house and leave behind gifts. Unfortunately, for one family, Christmas night meant someone else creeping in and leaving with those gifts — and nearly everything else.
Jack Shaw, 63, of Hanna, was sitting with his wife late Christmas Day when his phone rang and he recognized the number as his son, Cody Shaw, who had just left with his family to return to their home in Peru, Indiana.
“It was late, and I was thinking, ‘Oh man, something happened.’ You always know,” Jack said.
Cody, 27, a Hanna native, who graduated from South Central High School, told his father he’d arrived at his home with his wife, Samantha Long, and their two children to discover the front door open and the home burglarized.
They took everything, Jack said, Cody telling his father they’d taken the family’s kitchen appliances, televisions, clothes and even the children’s presents, which had been stored underneath the tree after being opened earlier in the morning.
The Peru Police Department stated the incident happened late Christmas night and into the morning of Dec. 26. Police were contacted at 3:37 a.m. EST with the report listing two televisions, an Xbox One, a radio, tools and fishing poles stolen from the home.
The police stated they were awaiting a complete list of missing items.
Jack stated after the police left, however, Cody looked around his home and discovered their dog food bag in the alley with his asthma nebulizer, slippers and two glasses from their kitchen inside.
“They were taking everything,” Jack said, adding the thieves even appeared to have attempted to take the couple’s bed.
Jack stated his oldest granddaughter, Bliss, 14, was very upset as the thieves even stole the girl’s Christmas clothes, which she’d been allowed to pick out with her parents on condition she unwrap them on Christmas morning.
“When we talked to him on the phone that night, they didn’t want to go back in the house,” Jack said, police determining the thieves entered through a window before unlocking the doors.
“They’re not comfortable in that house anymore, I would say,” Jack added.
While the wind was quickly sucked from their holiday cheer sails, Jack stated the next day he was contacted by his friend and bandmate, Terry Wills, of Union Mills, who had the idea of putting on a benefit for Cody’s family.
“It was really a nice surprise. I would’ve never even thought of putting a benefit together,” said Jack, who plays in The Original Stoney Ridge Band with Wills.
The benefit will be at Brantwood Restaurant and Lounge in North Judson on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 8-11 p.m.
There will be a voluntary donation at the door, a tip bucket and a 50/50 drawing through the night with all proceeds going toward Cody, Samantha and their two daughters.
Brantwood is located at 407 E. Talmer Ave., in North Judson.
“They’re really happy. It’s something that they need,” Jack said. “I know Cody and Samantha are appreciative of the benefit we’re going to put on for them.”
A GoFundMe page has also been set up where those wishing to help can donate to the family. Visit www.gofundme.com and search for Cody and Sam’s Family Fund.
According to the GoFundMe page, the home, which the couple rent, also suffered damage during the robbery and the family does not have renter’s insurance to replace any items which were stolen or damaged.
“They’re young people (and) they worked hard to put a household together,” Jack said. “They went home and everything they owned was gone.”