Salvation Army stores suffer break-in blitz in last two months

Several local Salvation Army Stores have been the target of thieves. Not only were items stolen, the culprits vandalized expensive equipment.

Salvation Army officials say this week marks the third time since December that the Lincoln Park store has been broken into. Over the past few weeks, a store in Southgate was broken into twice and stores in Taylor and Ann Arbor also had one break-in a piece.

"The windows are being shattered in all stores, broken registers, computers, break into safes and take everything out of them," said Jacquelynn Idzior of Southeast Michigan Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

Salvation Army officials say the loss has hit them hard.

"When we look at money stolen as well as damage looking at $20,000," she said.

It's thousands of dollars that Salvation Army officials say should be used for substance abuse programs at their Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

"We serve 300 men in Detroit and 80 women in Romulus," Idzior said. "And so we are a non-profit and every bit of that money goes to serve these programs."

Officials say they are investigating the break-ins and looking at evidence that could lead to the person or people responsible.

But moving forward, Salvation Army officials say they are making changes.

"We are in the process of installing several camera throughout stores and we hope this will cut down on theft entirely," said Idzior.

Always looking for a bargain at the Lincoln Park store, shopper Kris McMillian says she can't understand why anyone would break in and take from this organization.

"It just blows me away cause they do so much good work." said McMillian, an Allen Park resident.

If you have any information that can help police crack these cases, Salvation Army officials want you to speak up and contact police.%INLINE%