Thieves target Muslim thrift store

A Muslim nonprofit group’s Oklahoma City thrift store was burglarized on Tuesday — the third time the shop has been targeted by thieves in the last several months.

DeBorah Boneta, executive director of Surayya Anne FoundationOklahoma City, said someone broke into the organization’s thrift store at 1143 N Meridian Ave. sometime after the shop closed for the evening on Tuesday. The store is in a small storefront near the corner of NW 10 and Meridian Avenue.

It was launched in March to help generate funds to help the community’s neediest residents.

The organization is asking for the public’s help to purchase surveillance cameras that may deter burglars from targeting the store again.

Boneta said thieves broke into the store’s storage area during the first two burglaries, and items like shoes were taken. She said thieves broke through the shop’s glass front door during the most recent break-in. An expensive donated scooter was taken from the store at that time. Pictures showing some of the damage were posted on the organization’s Facebook page Wednesday.

“It (burglary) takes from our operating costs and administrative costs so we won’t be able to buy someone diapers, we won’t be able to pay an electric bill or keep someone from being evicted,” she said.

Boneta doesn’t believe the store was targeted because it is run by a Muslim organization.

“I felt like if it had been a hate crime, they would have gone through and destroyed everything. I think it was a crime of opportunity and boredom,” she said.

For more information, go to the “Surayya Anne OKC Thrift Store” page on Facebook.