Theft puts charity projects in jeopardy
St John staff have been left hurt and angry after a burglary from the Opportunity Shop in Thames.
Early Sunday morning, the shop on Pahau St was broken into by burglars breaking glass in the front door with a rock.
The thieves then accessed the jewellery cabinet and took a number of items worth about $300.
But St John East Coromandel territory manager John Armitt said the thieves have taken from more than just the store.
‘‘This is a charity and considering we use the funds to keep our operations in Thames working; the ambulance, health shuttles and our youth programme,’’ he said.
‘‘Without the income that these ladies here produce for us, we wouldn’t be able to support anyone in town to the extent that we are.’’
While St John Thames Area Committee deputy chair Ken Brokenshire said there are other costs involved.
‘‘It’s not only that the goods that have been taken, it’s the cost of repairs and everything as well,’’ Brokenshire said.
‘‘That’s several hundred dollars that we won’t have for the community, to support ambulance operations and everything else. How low can people go?’’ The pair is at a loss as to how somebody would do such a thing to a charity.
‘‘The other thing is too, it’s just like breaking into your home and these ladies feel vulnerable, it’s just nasty,’’ Armitt said.
‘‘I can’t believe that someone would actually do that. It’s not as if they couldn’t walk into the store and purchase these items for a fraction of the cost.’’
Brokenshire said the funding for a new health shuttle comes from the proceeds from the store.
‘‘A lot of funding for the ambulance service comes out of here,’’ he said.
Thames Police Constable Brendon Young said police has had a good response from the public and are following inquiries. He hoped police would have a result soon.
‘‘People can often have small pieces of the puzzle that we put together to get a good outcome.’’
Young would like to remind people to ring 111 if they see anything suspicious.