Pocono News Section

Outrage, Relief After Charity Theft Arrest

Outrage, Relief After Charity Theft Arrest - Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 4:50PM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 @ 04:50pm EDT
HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY - It's a crime that caused outrage in Honesdale.
Eyewitness News first told you last month about the theft at Uptown Shell on North Main Street..

"I couldn't believe they were that low," said Uptown Shell clerk Bonnie Horn.

She keeps thinking about that night August 19th when a man and woman walked into the store.
"They acted suspicious, they left," said Horn. "We didn't think anything of it. It was discovered the next day."

A container on the counter filled with donations for Saint Jude's Children's Hospital was gone. The crime was caught on a surveillance camera. Police spent weeks trying to figure out who did it. Last Friday, they arrested 30-year-old Jennifer Korner of Carbondale Township.

When news first spread about the Saint Jude's Jar donation theft, customers grew outraged at the crime and that someone would steal money at a time when charities are hurting so much.

"It really aggravates me that anybody would take something that someone else gave to give some other person," said customer Cal Teeple.
He decided to help by putting some spare change into the replaced Saint Jude's donation container.
"I might not have put money in that little box except I heard you guys interviewing the lady," said Teeple

"For sick kids, I felt really bad. You know, it's not right," said customer Cheryl McCormick.
And the unanswered question, what would motivate someone to steal money intended to help children.
"You feel bad for the people that need the money but you also feel worse for the children who really, really, really need it," said McCormick.

The crime won't prevent Uptown Shell from trying to help others.
"You can't let one person stop doing what you're doing," said McCormick.
Uptown Shell Spokesperson Christine Chapla says customers should feel safer giving donations knowing an arrest has been made and that the store has increased its security.
"They installed a brand new camera that has clearer pictures," said Chapla. "So I would suggest nobody try it in the future."

Police have not charged the man seen in the surveillance video with the defendant.
Korner has a hearing scheduled Wednesday in Honesdale.