Local

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Wheelchair-bound man steals donations meant for injured first responders

A man at a Florida mall store was caught on camera stealing donations that were meant for injured first responders.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The owner of Beef Jerky Outlet Experience told Channel 9 that she hopes surveillance video can identify the man who cleaned out a donation jar that sat on the counter near her register.

The money collected is sent to Mission Blue Inc., which is a local charity that helps first responders hurt in the line of duty.
Owner Teri Corbett said the customer in a wheelchair came into the store at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday and asked if she could get him a box to carry out his purchase.
Corbett told Channel 9 she went into her back room to get the box and when she came out, he was gone.

Corbett said she checked the security footage and watched the theft unfold.

Raw: Man in wheelchair steals donations meant for injured first responders

Corbett estimates the thief took about two days’ worth of donations.

She contacted mall security and filed a report with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

“We would like to help him if he is in need, but his actions make it seem like it was premeditated and we are upset he got away with this,” Corbett said.

Corbett told Channel 9 she was getting ready to add the money to a check she was sending to Mission Blue.

It was earmarked to help a local officer who had been shot in the line of duty and whose house had recently flooded.

Cox Media Group

Most Read