Organizers of a local thrift store and food pantry were shocked to learn that an after-hours visitor recently trashed the interior of a storage shed housing numerous donated goods, then took some items with her.
Now, that person of interest is possibly facing a felony charge of second-degree burglary.
At some point on Sunday, Aug. 19, the visitor ransacked a storage shed behind Crosslines of McDonald County in Anderson. The person looked through items and then just dumped them into a huge pile.
The female intruder and the mess she created was caught on video surveillance.
Crosslines Manager Angie Martin said Crosslines has multiple cameras around the building and a large amount of footage was collected on the "visitor in action."
Cameras documented that the visitor came in with one bag and left with two, she said.
Anderson Police Chief Seth Daniels said requested charges and paperwork have been sent to Prosecuting Attorney Bill Dobbs.
As of press time, a warrant had not yet been issued and Daniels declined to release the name of the individual to be charged.
However, the police department has identified a person of interest, Daniels said. That person is expected to be charged in connection with property damage, stealing and trespassing, in addition to second-degree burglary, he said.
Martin said the person of interest is a client of Crosslines, but she isn't sure how frequently the client uses the services.
Martin just can't comprehend why someone would ransack donated goods and leave such a mess while taking some items with her.
"I have no idea what motivated her," she said.
By pressing charges, officials hope to send a strong message: "We're watching and you will get caught," Martin said.
Martin is particularly dismayed because of the mess that was left.
"We rely on volunteers ... that's a whole lot of work she tore into," she said.
Volunteers now have to spend more hours to clean up the mess, she said.
General News on 08/30/2018