Thieves caught on camera taking from Sydney Mines thrift store donation bin

A not-for-profit thrift store in Sydney Mines that helps adults living with disabilities is now looking for help itself, after catching several people on camera taking items from their donation bin.

People have been seen stealing items from the donation box from broad daylight to the middle of the night, and it’s been happening for some time now.

“We are not sure of the exact time frame,” says store manager Ellen Keagan. “It seems regularly in the last month, and it’s probably three people.”

The first incident caught on camera is an older motel Toyota with a temporary license plate on the back window. It arrived early evening after the store was closed. The woman from the car grabbed a bag containing donations, and then took off.

Next, a man was seen in a newer model SUV, checked out a baby’s high chair, before putting it in his backseat and leaving.

At night, another woman made it seem like she was dropping off a donation, but it was a bag containing garbage. She then proceeded to help herself to several items in the donation box.

“It’s discouraging. As a local not-for-profit, we are running a social enterprise here,” says assistant director Adam Power. “We’re trying to promote our activities and services in our local community and we are here to help individuals in need.

The store also helps adults living with disabilities and relies on donations from the community. Kegan says the theft is only hurting the people in the community that they’re giving back to.

“You don’t know what was in that bag or bags,” says Keagan. “Those proceeds go back and support our programs that our participants work very hard for, and also work very hard in this store.”

Cape Breton Regional Police are investigating, but officials in the area do not want to lay charges. They simply want the problem to stop.

“Our first video surveillance was actually cut and taken from the premises, so it’s not the first time we’ve experienced theft,” says Power.

With that in mind and surveillance cameras in place, those running the thrift sore hope the public airing of after-hours thieving will deter others.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore

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  A woman is seen on camera in an older motel Toyota with a temporary license plate on the back window. It arrives early evening after the store was closed. The woman grabs a bag containing donations, and then takes off. (Source: Nora's New to You Thrift Store)

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  A man is seen in a newer model SUV, checking out a baby’s high chair, before putting it in his backseat and leaving. (Source: Nora's New to You Thrift Store)

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  At night, a woman makes it seem like she is dropping off a donation, but it's a bag containing garbage. She then proceeds to help herself to several items in the donation box. (Source: Nora's New to You Thrift Store)