Thieves target Merced nonprofit, take backpacks and school supplies meant for children

A Merced nonprofit was dealt a heavy blow over the weekend, after thieves broke into the group’s storage bin and stole dozens of backpacks meant for children in need, along with other items.

Monika Grasley, executive director of the LifeLine Community Development Corporation, told the Sun-Star she returned to work Sunday morning, only to be stunned by the discovery.

She arrived to check on the group’s facility next to Gateway Community Church, and found that someone had smashed a small hole into the side of their storage pod.

Grasley immediately called police and looked inside the pod. Out of 40 backpacks the organization had collected to give to children, 30 were stolen.

The backpacks were of good quality, Grasley said, and their value, along with the other supplies, was around $1,000.

“I was emotionally hurt,” Grasley said, after discovering the break-in. “Because what we do is to help the community and these aren’t valuable things to just steal and sell. It’s just sad when people destroy things that are supposed to help the community.”

The backpacks weren’t all that were taken. Grasley and her team had filled the backpacks with supplies, so the students would have items necessary for their classes.

Plus, the thieves took cleaning supplies, gardening tools and a couple of computers that were not being used.

The thieves also tried to start a fire, as burned pieces of cardboard were discovered inside the storage pod.

Grasley said that people have tried to break into the storage pod several times before, but this is the first time someone had managed to get inside.

Grasley said the organization is currently trying to offset the cost of the supplies they lost. The group will also begin to look for another storage facility.

Those looking to assist Lifeline Community Development Corporation can reach the group through their website, www.lifelinecdc.org. The group can also be reached through their Facebook page.

Anyone with information about the theft can contact the Merced Police Department’s automated tipline at 209-385-4725. Citizens can text a tip to TIP411 (847411) and use “comvip” as the first word in the message.

All tips are confidential, and you can remain anonymous.

This story was originally published February 16, 2020 at 7:52 PM with the headline "Thieves target Merced nonprofit, take backpacks and school supplies meant for children."