Money from a donation jar at the Los Al Youth Center’s Christmas tree lot was stolen at around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. The money in the jar was for purchasing Christmas gifts on the wish lists of local youth that attend the Youth Center’s programs.
Lina Lumme, the Center’s Executive Director, said the culprit is seen on camera arriving at the location on a bike before hiding behind a porta-potty. After scaling the fence, the suspect cut down the donation jar, which was duct-taped to pole and headed to the cash registers.
Money from a donation jar at the Los Al Youth Center’s Christmas tree lot was stolen at around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. The money in the jar was for purchasing Christmas gifts on the wish lists of local youth that attend the Youth Center’s programs.
Lina Lumme, the Center’s Executive Director, said the culprit is seen on camera arriving at the location on a bike before hiding behind a porta-potty. After scaling the fence, the suspect cut down the donation jar, which was duct-taped to pole and headed to the cash registers.
Luckily, said Lumme, the money made during the day was already deposited and the suspect only came away with what spare change was left in the registers.
Before making his escape, the suspect emptied out the contents of the donation jar in the porta-potty and left with the money, leaving scattered change and a mess of the entire tree lot.
“To take the coins and dollars out from the donation jar and from the wish lists of children is so mean,” said Lumme.
The suspect also stole the only set of keys to a delivery truck the center is renting, which cost $160 to replace, said Lumme.
Los Al’s Police Operations Commander Captain Rick Moore said the incident is not being investigated further because the Youth Center did not desire to record a police report.
In total, the estimated damages to the lot is about $700, but Lumme said she is optimistic and wants to end the tree lot’s 18th year on a high note.
The Youth Center’s last shipment of Christmas trees was delivered to the tree lot that same Saturday morning. Trees will be available until they’re sold out and the lot is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, and 12 – 9 p.m. weekdays at the Ganahl Lumber parking lot.
