Man steals cash from boy's donation bucket, flees

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Police are looking for the man who ripped a bucket full of cash donations out of a child's hands.

It happened in April as the basketball player was raising funds for a tournament in Stone Mountain.

The coach told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh he was out along with a group of players and parents along Park Place East at Rockbridge Road. The players had buckets and were collecting donations.

He says one driver held up two dollars as if he was going to drop it in. According to the police report, when the player held out his bucket to accept the donation, the man grabbed it and sped off.

"Who would actually do that?" asked Coach Donald Williams. "Kids out there raising money, you would think everyone out there would want to help."

Williams coaches a seventh-grade boys' basketball team through the Amateur Athletic Association.

The team is raising money to play in a national tournament in Memphis.

After the driver sped off, witnesses say he took the money then chucked the bucket out the window.

"We knew it was over a hundred dollars at that time. We had one generous giver before that that gave $60," Williams said.

Luckily, a good Samaritan stepped in. He followed the vehicle and provided police with a good description of it.

The player wasn't hurt. But the team is out that money.

"With times being what (they are), we try to do everything we can to assure that the kids can go out to these tournaments, have fun and enjoy," Williams said.

Gwinnett County police say they have identified suspects.

Anyone interested in assisting the team can send donations to:

Georgia Stars Elite 13, PO Box 3518, Loganville, Ga. 30052

Coach Donald Williams can be reached at donaldwilliams39@bellsouth.net

WSBTV