Thieves strike Goodwill Donation Center

ELKHART, Ind. – A group of four people were caught looting a donation center at the Goodwill Store at 3717 on South Main Street just after midnight on Sunday.

Officers with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department say Sherry Elliott, Oscar Tipton and Roxanne Mikel were seen breaking into the donation bins outside the store.  Sherry Elliott was also found to have marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  The thieves apparently ignored or didn’t notice multiple signs on the bins warning that they were monitored by security cameras.

“We try to do the best that we can to help people and other people breaking in, that’s just terrible,” said Alberto Leon, who donated clothes to the store on Monday.

Leon, other donors and customers said even if the thieves were in desperate need there was no excuse for stealing from a store that offers jobs and assistance to people who are struggling.  But, the theft won’t deter them from continuing to donate to Goodwill.

“I mean it’s a terrible thing for them to do that,” Alberto Leon explained.  “But it’s not going to stop me from trying to do something for other people.”

The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the sheriff’s department report on the case to determine what charges will be filed.