Barrie police are looking for two suspects accused of stealing credit cards and charity raffle tickets from a pair of south-end homes on Monday.
The thefts happened sometime early Monday morning on Silver Maple Crescent.
One of the victims hopes the culprits will do the right thing
Albert Penfield says he knew something was wrong as he was getting his daughter ready for school and looked out the front window.
“I noticed the running boards on my truck were out and I found that to be odd. I guess when they went into my truck, the running boards came out and when they were done, they didn't shut the door all the way so the boards stayed out,” Penfield told BarrieToday.
Penfield initially only noticed his sunglasses, reading glasses and some loose change had been taken, but he said his heart dropped when he thought of what else was in there.
“I went back and looked for some charity raffle tickets and money I had in there and, of course, they were gone, too,” he said. “I had to call the officer back about 10 minutes later and report the tickets and money being taken, too.”
Three books of raffle tickets for the Down Syndrome Association of Simcoe County and money from tickets that had already been purchased were gone.
Penfield is part of a motorcycle group that participates in the annual Ride for Down Syndrome, which helps raise money.
His neighbour also had his car rummaged through and the thieves stole credit cards, which were used at stores in the area.
From video surveillance cameras, city police were able to obtain images of the thieves using the credit cards at different locations.
While Penfield hopes to get the tickets and the stubs back from bought tickets, he doesn't expect to retrieve the money that was stolen.
And while he admits it is upsetting, he commends police who have gathered money to make the story end a little better.
“One of the officers reached out to others on the service and they pooled together some money to replace what was taken and the Barrie Police Association is matching it,” Penfield said. “I have been grinning ear to ear since I got off the phone with him.”
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon reminds everyone to lock their doors at all times to avoid “upsetting” crimes like this.
“It's bad enough to have random items taken, but of course seeing raffle tickets and money being stolen from someone who was truly trying to do good in the community, that's an absolute shame,” Leon said.
“It needs repeating: lock your doors when you get home. You never know who is out looking for an opportunity while you are sleeping," he added.
Police allege the suspects are responsible for eight fraudulent transactions between 6:48 a.m. and 8:04 a.m., Tuesday.
Anyone who may recognize the suspects in the surveillance photos can email [email protected].
