On May 16th, the suspect robbed two women volunteers for a local charity who were loading a truck after a charity fundraiser focused on local artists and young creatives in the NELA area (around Lincoln Heights.)  After quickly rummaging through the trash in the back of the truck, he opened the passenger door and stole a red shoulder bag.

The backpack contained:

• very important legal/tax documents and US mail for the charity
• 3 sketchbooks belonging to 3 young artists (with irreplaceable drawings, notes and ideas.)
• laptops computers. A Lenovo Slim and a Chromebook. Both laptops were older, and neither was of any resale value, but both were extremely valuable to the charity they belonged to
• Older Kindle e-reader (which was remotely disabled.)
• A number of other small items including computer accessories art supples.

These items have almost no resale value to the criminal who stole them. They had a lot of value and will take a lot of time to replace for the charity and young neighbors they were stolen from.

Two local businesses provided surveillance footage. They are somewhat low in resolution, but we think should be recognizable to anyone familiar with this man.

Unfortunately there are gaps in the footage. He moved quickly, there was only a few minute gap between people walking by with their children to soccer practice at Albion Park and the people unloading the truck returning that he grabbed the bag.

Sadly, that was enough. And as the driver was in a hurry to return the truck, it was over a day before the theft was discovered.

Other Criminal Activity by Suspect

After the theft was discovered, several people canvassed the neighborhood asking for information. Several local residents and business owners offered information. In addition to robbing the charity:

• 2 local business owners think he looks like the suspect who stole from 2 vehicles belonging to their clients in the past few weeks.
• A local resident stated that a man matching that description had threatened 2 girls walking to Albion Park a few days earlier. Resident did not think the suspect was homeless, and that he may actually live in the area, or possibly in an RV.
• Other residents/businesses thought man looked familiar, but had no definite information

This suspect will likely continue to prey on residents in this area until he is caught. All criminal activity committed was directed at women residents/workers in the area. He has targeted a charity, several women, and 2 children.

REWARD

A few kind neighbors gathered up $1000 to donate to the victims of this crime so they can buy new laptops, and we are very grateful to their generosity.

However, a number of the items stolen are irreplaceable, or expensive/difficult to replace. We would love for those items (notebooks and documents,) to be returned. We'd also welcome everything else stolen. As they have little resale value, we hope they are still stashed somewhere nearby.

We are offering up to $1000 for the return of the notebooks, mail, documents and information leading to the location and identification of the suspect who stole these item, robbed other locals, and threatened young members of our community. Additionally, we will reward back at cash value for the return of any other goods he stole.  Cash will be rewarded proportionate to the property repatriated. If the suspect is identified and positively ID'd and located, but no goods can be located, a reward of $200 will be given.

If you'd rather anonymously give us a tip, we'd also welcome that. Our goal is to get this man arrested, improve our neighborhood safety, and at the least, scare him away from our homes, businesses and loved ones.

Please send all information to

gear@gearupscene.com

Thank you neighbors! Our goal is first and foremost to help keep our neighborhood a safe place for our parents, kids, grandparents and all of our friends in the area. We really do appreciate any assistance you can give to help take a vulture and potential predator off of our streets.