Greedy thieves steal $2,000 from needy vets

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More than $2,000 for charity had been raised for veterans in need. Thieves swiped it all in the latest in a rash of burglaries in Milford.

The charity campaign was a succesful one. Rolling Thunder had collected $2,000 and seperated it all into 21 envelopes. They were going to go into the pockets of needy vets but instead went into the pockets of greedy criminals.

The cash was raised at a Romulus event and it would have helped veterans in need whether its food, clothing or paying bills. It was all stolen from Country Lane Repair on Maple Road in Milford.

"All the work that went into and to have them take it without any kind of remorse," Duane O'Parka, President of Rolling Thunder Chapter 5, said. "All this money that we raised, whether we sell raffle tickets, clothing, or through donations, all goes at the end of the year to help our veterans."

They used a rock to break in but once inside, the pried open the briefcase and got the loot. Shattered glass is still outside the window where they broke in. It's been boarded up to make sure they don't come back but the damage is done and money that was going to go to our veterans has been stolen.

O'Parka owns the shop and had stashed the cash in his briefcase, thinking it was safe.

"The first thing I thought of was the briefcase and there was money inside it and sure enough it was broken into and the envelopes that the money was in were laying all over the floor and that's when I called the police," he said.

O'Parka's business was one of four that were broken into in a 10-day span. Police believe they were all committed by the same people and they're searching for the suspects.

As for the vets who were getting help, they're right back where they started. If you want to pitch in, send donations to this address:

PO Box 305
Hartland, MI 48353