‘They’re stealing from the elderly.’ Downtown Modesto nonprofit’s donation box taken

Authorities have released a grainy photo of a man sought in the break-in and theft from the Senior Advocacy Network-Senior Law Project in downtown Modesto earlier this month.

The crime happened shortly after 4 a.m. March 4, according to the time stamp from surveillance cameras. The cameras had been installed just a couple of months ago because cars behind the nonprofit had been vandalized, said Joyce Gandelman, its founder.

She added that the thief likely got about $50 to $60 from the donation box, which is secured on the counter with strong, double-sided tape. He also took a piggy bank for coins, which probably held only a few dollars.

The donation box had been cleared by staff at least once a week, Gandelman said. “If someone puts in a $100 bill, we take it right away,” she said. “But we like to keep tens and twenties in there because if people give donations, they often need change.”

From now on though, she said, the box will be emptied daily.

No one need worry that a donation made by check may have been stolen, Gandelman said, because those, too, are removed right away.

Video shows the thief walk around the building, at 1314 G St., before breaking in the front door with a crowbar. Once inside, he went straight for the donation box, she said.

“It’s obviously someone who’s been in before,” she said. “We get a lot of people who come in off the street. We have water, so sometimes the homeless come in for a drink.”

More costly to the Senior Advocacy Network than the theft itself was the damage done. Staff couldn’t open the door, so had to have a locksmith come out. That cost about $175, and there’s still damage to the door, Gandelman said. Repair will cost close to $500, she said, but the door is secure until that’s done.

Not that the thief will care, Gandelman said, but “when this happens, they’re stealing from the elderly, because we use this money to help seniors.”

A Modesto Police Department post on Facebook suggests investigators have little to go on. “The images are low quality, but hopefully someone will still recognize this guy,” it states. “Any information can be sent to Detective Bohanan at bohanang@modestopd.com or by calling Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636.”

This story was originally published March 21, 2019 at 11:30 AM.