FLORIDA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SALVATION ARMY News - - Gainesville.com

Thieves again hit Salvation Army

By LISE FISHER
Sun staff writer

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Thieves helped themselves late Thursday to electronics and other items at a Gainesville Salvation Army store that raises money to aid the community.

Representatives for the store at 55 NW 23rd Ave. estimate it lost about $80,000 either in stolen goods or damage.

“We're here to help the community. Money into the store is forwarded to support the programs we provide for the community,” said Capt. Raquel Lorenzo with the Gainesville Salvation Army. “They didn't really steal from us. They stole from the community actually.”

Culprits apparently used a vehicle to mow down a fence at the site, went to the back of the store and ripped a metal wall off the back of the store, according to the Salvation Army.

Eight air conditioning units were damaged by the thieves. Lorenzo said it looked like they were trying to strip copper from the units. But they actually did more damage to the equipment than they got from them.

The stolen computer equipment and electronics taken from the store had been valued at about $35,000, Lorenzo said.

Earlier in the month, vandals hit the same store.

On Feb. 2, someone gutted one air conditioning unit in an attempt to steal copper and shot out nine windows. Damages came to more than $10,000, the Salvation Army reported.

“Maybe they came back to finish the job,” Lorenzo said.

At the time of the most recent break-in, officials had been renovating the store, including adding more security features, Lorenzo said. New fencing, bars and security cameras are being installed.

The store still opened on Friday, and Gainesville Police are investigating the theft.