A crowd armed with phones, cameras, pens and "CHiPs" memorabilia gathered around Erik Estrada on Saturday morning at Target, trying to get autographs and a picture with the star of "CHiPs" and "Armed and Famous."
Estrada was helping with the Muncie Police Department and the Salvation Army's 15th annual "Shop With a Cop." The event gives Christmas presents to children from underprivileged families in Delaware County.
Muncie resident Linda Bader said she was an avid fan of the shows.
"I love everything about Erik Estrada," Bader said. "He has a good heart."
Event organizer Capt. Charles Hensley said Muncie Police raised more than $10,000 for the event. Participating officers were allotted $100 for each child they shopped with, he said.
Estrada had been working the midnight shift as a reserve officer a week prior to helping out with the event.
The event marked his third visit to Muncie since "Armed and Famous" finished filming three years ago. Estrada said he vowed to return to Muncie every year and wished to keep that promise.
"I love what the police department is doing for the community," Estrada said. "I will always be back every year to renew my reserveship and to help with 'Shop With a Cop' and the food drive at Meijer."
Along with Estrada, State Rep. Dennis Tyler, Muncie mayor Sharon McShurley and police officers from more than 15 agencies shopped with the children at Target.
Hensley said shoppers bought presents for 101 children.
"The look on their faces is just wonderful," Hensley said. "We wanted children who can't afford it to be able to have a merry Christmas."
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