A Florida man named Edmund Allen was arrested and charged with grand theft after he was accused of stealing the cash that Girl Scouts had collected from cookie sales outside a local grocery store.
Mr. Allen, 22, allegedly swiped the jar’s $400 in cash from a Publix grocery in St. Augustine, United Press International reported.
Police found him and apprehended him two days later — in a shed, smoking suspected marijuana with another man, also 22. Police also say he may have spent the Girl Scouts’ money already, UPI reported.
“The monies in this case cannot be recovered due to the actions of the arrested individual,” Sheriff David Shoar told the local WJXT.
Local businesses and law enforcement agencies have rallied to help the troop recover its cash.
“I am pleased that the collective law enforcement community made a donation through our local lodge, and I am honored to make a personal donation to this group of girls, who are making a difference in our community,” Sheriff Shoar said in the UPI report.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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