SOUTH BEND — Santa Claus seems to have traded his red suit for a blue uniform this Christmas. At least for one South Bend family.

It seems like kids are up all night before Christmas in anticipation of finally finding out what’s under the tree. That’s how it was for the Mendoza kids this year, until a thief threw a kink in their plans.

The family visited their cousins on Christmas Eve.

But while they were away, a thief broke into their home and stole their presents.

Security footage showed he was there for more than an hour taking the kids’ presents, the TV and even stopping in the yard to go through a purse.

The family got back just minutes after he was done.

Enith says her first reaction was fear. She thought the man could have been armed, and was grateful he didn’t come face-to-face with her children.

Enith says she thought about going to the store, but at midnight on Christmas Eve she wasn’t sure what was open.

Meanwhile the police came and filed a standard report.

The family was feeling grateful to have each other.

“The life is first. The other is material.”

What they weren’t expecting was a knock on their door at 2 in the morning. It was the police again, this time armed with more than $200 worth of toy replacements.

The kids couldn’t have been happier.

The family told us they are lucky to have the police around to protect them, and while the toys could have been replaced the next day, nothing could replace the Christmas spirit they brought to their household.

“I really want to say thanks to the South Bend Police Department,” said Enith. “Thank you so much.”

On the police report it says Officer Thom is the one who responded to the incident at the Mendozas. We couldn’t get ahold of him as of the time of this report.

Source: WSBT