Donation Boxes Stolen From Two Downtown Benicia Businesses

The Grinch made a late visit to two downtown Benicia businesses that reported their donation jars were stolen from their front counter areas while the businesses were open according to a release sent out by the Benicia Police Department.  Both thefts occurred during the day on Tuesday, February 21.

Police released a video of the person they believe is responsible for at least one of the thefts.

The first reported incident occurred at the UPS Store in Benicia's Solano Square. On Feb. 21, 2012 at 5:29 pm, an employee reported that their donation jar had been taken about 90 minutes earlier.  No one was seen at the time.

Sudha Vohra of the UPS Store said the money in the donation box was destined for a Mother Teresa Missionaries of Charity in India. 

“It’s for foster kids,” said Vohra.  “Every year we give the money to a different organization.”

Vohra estimated there was about $100 in the box when it was stolen.

The second theft was reported at 11 a.m. on Wednesday when Bill Holt, the owner of Pups ‘n’ Purrz on the 400 block of First Street reported a donation jar had been stolen the day before, February 21.  Again, no one was seen.

“It probably had $20.00 in it,” said Holt.  “The money was supposed to go to Solano County Friends of Animals.”

“I’m telling the other merchants to keep their eyes open,” said Holt.

Solano County Friends of Animals holds adoptions at Pups ‘n’ Purrz on Thursday afternoons when the Farmers Market is happening.

"This is very rare, but on occasion thieves will take advantage of a merchant when they can," said Benicia Police Lt. Mike Daley. "We encourage all of our businesses to call in the event they see someone either lurking around their business and not shopping or if they think someone is checking out their business for a possible theft."

The Benicia Police Department has also notified both the Benicia Chamber of Commerce and Benicia Main Street to make them and the downtown merchants aware of these thefts.

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