Posted on 01/02/2002 1:13:55 PM PST by FormerLib
TOLEDO, OH, December 14, 2001 (TB) -- One of the two artificial Christmas trees stolen from a Greek Orthodox church near downtown Toledo has been located.
The Rev. Aristotle Damaskos, pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral at Walnut and Superior streets, said he was contacted yesterday morning by a woman who came forward and said she had purchased one of the trees late Monday night from a man in the courtyard of the Cherrywood Apartments near the church.
The woman, Erica Benton, 22, said she had no prior knowledge that the tree had been stolen. She said she called a local television station after seeing a story that had been aired, pretty sure she had one of the trees in question.
The station then contacted Father Damaskos, who went to the woman's apartment and verified that it belonged to the church.
The pastor decided to let the woman keep it, as well as the miniature lights that were attached. He took back only a timer, an extension cord, and a security strap that belonged to the church.
Later in the day he went back and gave Ms. Benton $10, enough to reimburse her for what she paid to get the tree. He encouraged her to use the money to buy a gift for her 2-year-old son, Donald.
Father Damaskos said he is convinced Ms. Benton purchased the tree in good faith.
The woman told The Blade she saw two men in the Cherrywood courtyard when she arrived home Monday, each trying to sell an artificial tree.
She recalled darkness outside then, about 10:30 p.m., and said she didn't notice the little lights on the tree until the man who sold her the tree took it up to her apartment.
She said that when she finally noticed the lights and inquired about them, she was told by the man that he was selling his family tree because his children had been naughty this year.
Ms. Benton said she believed him - then became suspicious after seeing the television story. "I don't believe in receiving stolen property," she said. "I felt God would have held me accountable."
She said she believes the other man in the courtyard was selling the other tree that had been stolen from the church. As of last night, that one had not been located.
The stolen artificial trees were replaced at the church by a seven-foot Colorado blue spruce donated by North Branch Nursery and Landscaping of Pemberville.
As the pastor left the church for his second visit to Ms. Benton's apartment yesterday, a stranger was attaching an ornament to the tree.
Father Damaskos asked him his name.
"Anonymous," the man replied, smiling. "Well, OK, Mr. Anonymous," the pastor said. "Thank you."
And that Anonymous guy seems like a sort as well!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.