(OCEAN PINES, Md.) - A cancer-stricken community gets hit with a low blow after a suspect was caught on camera stealing money that was being raised for cancer patients at Carroll Hospital.
"It just upsets you like 'wow, how could somebody do that?" said Linda Dearing of Ocean Pines.
Dearing lost her daughter Gina Barnes to colon cancer just over two years ago. Barnes, a mother of three, was known for being "very bubbly, outgoing, caring, a great mother, active in the community and an excellent employee."
Dearing says the robbery happened in the early morning hours on Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at Copy Central in Ocean Pines, Maryland. Surveillance video caught the suspect attempting to break into the side door, before moving to the back of the building.
"This whole frame was busted out, the deadbolt and everything was torn," said Dearing. "They had to replace the door."
Dearing says the money being raised was placed inside a plastic jar that sat on top of the front counter. She says the jar contained about $750 when it was stolen.
Linda Kessinger, a graphic designer at Copy Central, made the heartbreaking discovery on July 6 when she came into work early to open up the store.
"When I went to go around and turn the machines on, I saw that the back door was cracked open about 4 inches," said Kessinger. "So, I immediately just thought that somebody forgot to shut the door when they went to lock it and it didn't shut all the way. When I tried to pull it shut, it wouldn't shut."
Dearing says that's when they both realized someone had broken in and stolen money from the cash register, along with the plastic jar.
"We were sad. It was hard to believe that someone would do it," said Kessinger.
Interestingly, Dearing says only the money was missing and none of the expensive equipment was even touched.
"[The suspect] was targeting a specific thing, he didn't get into anything else or take anything else. It was strictly the money," said Dearing.
Another thing that caught Dearing's attention, surveillance video caught the suspect talking to someone on the phone the whole time he was trying to break in.
"I truly think that one of our customers came in and saw that money in that jar and then passed it along to this gentleman, because this gentleman didn't look familiar to us," said Dearing. "Most of my employees can kind of remember people, because we converse with them, and he didn't look familiar to any of us."
Anyone who'd like to help replenish what was stolen can send donations to Copy Central (ATTN: Linda Dearing) at 11065 Cathell Road, Suite 4, Berlin, Maryland 21811.
Anyone with information regarding the burglary is urged to contact Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack at 410-641-3101.
