‘Nothing has been done’ after donation jar stolen from Dunnville charity twice

The owners of a Dunnville charity that helps feed and clothe the community’s homeless, is fed up after they say one of their regulars has stolen a donation jar twice in the last year.

They even have video of the theft, but they say police aren’t doing enough.

Just after 7 a.m. on Aug. 20, a man broke through the front door of Julia Marchese’s Old Fashioned Christmas Charity on Bridge Street in Dunnville, and stole a donation jar that was on the counter.

“They broke through the glass, came in and took the jar of donation money for Christmas and functions, they took it and ran off right away,” said Marchese.

Marchese says there was about $800 in the jar, and it’s not the first time it was stolen.

Last year, a thief did the same thing.

“We have it all on video,” said Marchese. “Called the police, description of the video, pictures of him coming in and going out.”

Marchese and her husband are pretty sure it’s the same man each time.

“We had a lot of people come into the charity giving us tips, and who was wearing those shoes,” said Marchese. “We gave all the info to the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) — the OPP needed more time to locate the right person.”

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The kicker: the Marcheses run a charity that helps feed and clothe dozens of homeless people in Dunnville every day, and they’re certain the thief was a man they helped often.

“I wanted to take the matter in my own homes,” said Marchese. “We know the homeless, we feed everybody, clothe everybody. This gentleman approached me to say he felt sorry for us — I know he’s on drugs and has mental health issues.”

“We know who it is, with camera proof, but…I don’t understand.”

The Haldimand OPP put out a press release with this video Friday asking for information.

Marchese is upset that the man hasn’t been arrested yet.

“They asked me if I wanted to charge him, and I said ‘definitely’,” said Marchese. “There has to be some consequences but nothing has been done.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

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