Another day, another mystery for the Franklin Police Department in Franklin, Massachusetts. But this recent mystery wasn’t a typical crime. For starters, the stolen items were being pinched from right under their noses! Officers realized donations were disappearing from their holiday toy drive collection for the Santa Foundation, a local nonprofit that helps families in need.
And the culprit? It was a member of their own team: Ben the therapy dog.
“When Ben saw the toys, he thought they all belonged to him,” Deputy Chief James Mill told WFXT, a local Fox affiliate, on Thursday.
Golden retriever Ben was caught in the act when officers filmed a video of him taking a baby doll from the donation area in a classroom. When he was questioned by an officer, Ben led them to his bed under an officer’s desk, where there was another toy.
The police department posted the video on Facebook, writing alongside the clip, “We learned an extremely valuable lesson today. When you have a classroom full of toys ready to be shipped off to the Santa Foundation, you should… 1. Close the door to the classroom Or 2. Keep the toys elevated (sic)”
“If not, a golden retriever will slowly hoard them throughout the day and bring them back to his lair,” the post continued. “Thanks to Officer Cusson for capturing this larceny on camera.”
Facebook users loved the video, with thousands of commenters expressing their support of Ben. “He’s the cutest and brings so much joy to our community!” wrote one.
“This is the best thing ever,” another posted. “He needs his own page!!! The adventures of Ben the Therapy Dog.”
Mill told WFXT that Ben had been banned from the toy room, and all the toys had been replaced. “I mean, he’s gotten his slobber all over them at this point, so the police department has replaced them,” he said.
However, Ben is easy to forgive — he’s clearly the most popular member of the team by far.
“It’s amazing. He’s like one of those friends that always shows up at a party that everybody loves,” Mill told the station. “So even if you’re having a terrible day, if Ben walks in, seriously, it’s just like a ray of sunshine.”
Let’s hope the ray of sunshine gets his very own doll on Christmas Day — he clearly deserves it.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for other great tips and ideas to make the most out of life.
