Crook takes donation jar collecting money for sick children
A Columbus charity is outraged after two donation jars collecting money to help ill children were stolen from area businesses. (Courtesy: Rodney Holden)
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus charity is outraged after two donation jars collecting money to help ill children were stolen from area businesses.
"It's pretty disheartening," said Rodney Holden, with the Aladdin Shrine Temple of Columbus, "it's a travesty."
Surveillance cameras from inside a West Columbus restaurant captured a suspected thief a few weeks ago, stealing a donation jar collecting money to help the group's 22 children's hospitals across the country, including a center in Cincinnati that specializes in treating burns"every money that is distributed goes to our hospitals," said Holdren.
Holdren who serves as the Potentate for the Columbus shrine club tells ABC 6/FOX 28 he did not know about the thefts until we contacted him.
"It's very unfortunate that it happened," said Holdren.
A few weeks later, a second burgundy Fez jar was stolen when a South Columbus butcher shop was burglarized. It's not known if the two crimes are connected. There is no video of the butcher shop break-in.
The suspect who walked off with the donation jar inside the West Columbus restaurant was wearing a ball cap with a unique red design on the front, a dark jacket, and stonewashed jeans. The suspect also appeared to be wearing a backpack.
Anyone with information is asked to call Columbus Police at 614-645-4545.
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