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 backpack. The backpack contained very important legal/tax documents for the charity, mail, 3 sketchbooks belonging to 3 young artists (with irreplaceable drawings, notes and ideas.) It also contained 2 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, being used to assist with their events. There was also an older Kindle e-reader (which was remotely disabled.) There were also a number of other small items including computer accessories art supples.

These items have almost no resale value to the criminal who took 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 assisted in searching through their surveillance footage to get us video clips. Although somewhat low in resolution, they show the man in the act. Unfortunately there are gaps in the footage. He moved quickly, there was only a few minute gap between people walking by and the people unloading the truck returning that he grabbed the bag. Sadly, that was enough. And as they were in a hurry to return the truck, it was nearly 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 discussing with 2 local business owners, it is likely the suspect 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 he may live in the wider area, or possibly in an RV.
• Other residents/businesses thought man looked familiar, but had no deffinite 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, and we are very grateful to their generosity. However, a number of the items stolen are irreplaceable or difficult to replace. We would like those items (notebooks and documents,) as well as the laptops/kindle, returned. These items have very little resale value. We are offering up to $1000 for information leading to the location and identification of the suspect who stole from at least 3 vehicles, and threatened young members of our community and the return of the goods he stole.  Cash will be rewarded proportionate to the property repatriated. If the suspect is identified and located, but no goods 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, or at the least, scare him out of our neighborhoods.

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 one vulture and potential predator off of our streets.