Cootamundra Police have arrested a Cootamundra man aged in his 20s and are looking for a juvenile accomplice after a break-in a charity shop in Hovell Street.
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Salvation Army Family Store manager Kate O’Brien locked the store at about 8.30pm on Wednesday, January 2.
At 3.30am the next morning two offenders were caught on camera cutting a barb-wire fence and rummaging through the donated goods which were yet to be taken into the store.
They took a number of items and left a mess behind.
They also interfered with the building’s wiring, presumably to deactivate the security camera, however back-up power meant the camera was still rolling as the crime was committed and the offenders faces were clearly identifiable.
When the break-in was discovered, the footage was taken to police, who immediately recognised the offenders.
The older of the two offenders was arrested and charged with stealing the same day police were handed the footage.
Inspector Frank Brown said police are yet to speak to the younger teenage offender and as well as actively looking for the person are encouraging the offender to come forward.
Mrs O’Brien praised the swift action of police in nabbing one of the offenders and is pleading with the public not to lose faith in the charity shop despite recent break-ins and to continue to donate items.
She said this is the latest in a spate of break-ins, however with an arrest made and the security cameras doing their job, she is hopeful the crimes will cease.
There are also plans to increase security of the building this year.
The store is staffed by volunteers, including Mrs O’Brien, who has been attending during the Christmas period to take donated items inside to keep them safe.
Funds raised through the sale of donated items are used by the charity to help those in need.
They also give items away to families and individuals who cannot afford to purchase in-store.
“It is sad because the money we lose (through the stolen items and wiring repair bill) is money we don’t have to help others,” Mrs O’Brien said.
“Cootamundra is an incredibly generous town,” she added.
That generous spirit has again been shown with a local farmer hearing about the break-in and offering his skills to fix the barb-wire fence which was cut.
