NEWARK -- After a family woke up Christmas morning to find they had been burglarized the night before, police officers here raised $200 to help restore their Christmas spirit.

Officers responded to a home on the 36000 block of Cherry Street around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, where it was discovered that someone had entered on Christmas Eve and stolen gifts under the tree, a computer and jewelry, Sgt. David Lee said.

The family's two young children, ages 9 and 11, awoke to find no presents, police said.

"The parents had spent quite a bit of the money on the gifts. Everyone was pretty devastated," Lee said.

The family had gone straight to bed upon returning home from a party Tuesday night and didn't notice the burglary until the following morning.

The presents were gone and the blinds and a window were open, Lee said.

Police held a meeting after the responding officer returned to the police station, and the six officers on duty raised about $100 for the family. The Newark police officers union matched the money raised dollar per dollar.

"We were able to revive some of their Christmas. They were extremely grateful," Lee said.

Police are still investigating and following up some leads regarding the burglary.
