Burglar Steals From Gwinnett County Charity

Police are on the lookout for a burglar who stole from a Gwinnett County charity. Someone broke into the Lilburn Co-Op on Five Forks Trickum Road Sunday night and took cash meant to help the less fortunate.

The cool morning air flowed freely through one of the front glass doors of the Lilburn Co-Op's thrift store Monday morning as the director showed Channel 2's Rachel Kim what someone did to get inside.

"This is the rock they threw through the glass," said Lilburn Co-Op Director Kay Whithear. "They must have thrown in really hard because it had bounced all the way back to the counter."

The thief then pried open the cash register and got away with $200.

The theft comes at a time when the number of people needing food, clothing and money for utilities is only growing.

"It's a good crutch for families that really need help," said Lilburn resident Valeska Mercado. "That's very unfortunate that someone would do that. Especially in times like this."

Volunteers are having a hard time keeping the shelves stocked with food. They are looking at about $700 in losses and damages.

"Two hundred dollars is probably a whole day's taking in the thrift store and people do work very hard to make that money," said Whithear. "It's not easy to make money in a thrift store, especially in this economy."

Mercado said she wants the thief to think about his actions and hopes he will listen to his conscience. "Have a heart for someone else. It could be someone in your family that's in need. Just have a heart," said Mercado.

The co-op director said a neighbor saw the thief coming out with the register drawer so she got into her car and chased him all the way to Highway 78 before he got away. Police said the car was stolen.

If you have any information, call Gwinnett County police. To find out more about the Lilburn Co-Op, Click Here.