01-05-2005, 12:05 AM
Thieves steal tsunami supplies from Nfld. Red Cross
Last Updated Tue, 04 Jan 2005 15:31:12 EST
ST. JOHN'S - Thieves ransacked the Red Cross office in St. John's and stole supplies destined for Asia's tsunami disaster victims after failing to find donated money.
Staff arrived at the office Monday to find that vandals had cut phone lines to disable the security system, then kicked in the doors and trashed the place.
They made off with supplies intended for the tsunami victims as well as computers and a van, which was found Monday night.
The vandals tried to break into a safe, but couldn't crack it, said Red Cross regional director Rhonda Kenney. Even if they had succeeded, they would have found the safe empty because the charity deposits donations daily at a bank, she said.
"No money has been stolen and all the donor information has been protected. It's very unfortunate that there are people who are out there who would take advantage of the generosity of others."
To keep up with a flood of public donations for the tsunami relief effort, staff worked overtime to keep the office open on the weekend.
One employee said news of the vandalism gave her goosebumps. "It's really frustrating, it's disappointing and it's confusing," Anna Power said.
The office opened again for business on Tuesday.
Last Updated Tue, 04 Jan 2005 15:31:12 EST
ST. JOHN'S - Thieves ransacked the Red Cross office in St. John's and stole supplies destined for Asia's tsunami disaster victims after failing to find donated money.
Staff arrived at the office Monday to find that vandals had cut phone lines to disable the security system, then kicked in the doors and trashed the place.
They made off with supplies intended for the tsunami victims as well as computers and a van, which was found Monday night.
The vandals tried to break into a safe, but couldn't crack it, said Red Cross regional director Rhonda Kenney. Even if they had succeeded, they would have found the safe empty because the charity deposits donations daily at a bank, she said.
"No money has been stolen and all the donor information has been protected. It's very unfortunate that there are people who are out there who would take advantage of the generosity of others."
To keep up with a flood of public donations for the tsunami relief effort, staff worked overtime to keep the office open on the weekend.
One employee said news of the vandalism gave her goosebumps. "It's really frustrating, it's disappointing and it's confusing," Anna Power said.
The office opened again for business on Tuesday.