DEARBORN — Dearborn Police caught the man spotted stealing an Al-Mabarrat charity donation box on camera from Al-Basha Subs of Dearborn Heights earlier this month. He was arrested at his home here last Saturday, where he confessed to stealing a total of five of the charity’s donation boxes. 

Then Monday night the thievery continued when another man broke into Eclips Salon on Schaefer grabbing two donation boxes, and fleeing the scene. The charity boxes were from Al-Mabarrat and the Sadr Foundation, both non-profits serving orphans. He eventually ended up in police custody. Video shows the man throwing an object at the front door of the salon, breaking it, then entering and taking the boxes all in the span of five seconds.  The salon’s owner Mustapha Ezzeddine had the front entrance repaired immediately, and the salon was open Tuesday.

The man in connection to the Al-Basha Subs incident was caught after robbing a CITGO gas station here Thursday, April 19 and is reportedly 20-years-old.  On video he’s seen asking the gas station clerk to grab an item from the counter, as the clerk’s back was turned he placed the box under a clothing item, the same tactic he used at Al-Basha Subs.

The station’s owner posted photos of the man on the front door of the business urging the community to help identify him. With help from customers police were able to track the thief down at his home.  Law enforcement officials say the man was cooperative. A female accomplice is believed to be involved according to a detective working on the case.  

Since last Ramadan a minimum of eight Sadr Foundation donation boxes have been stolen from local businesses. Both charities have the boxes set-up at Dearborn and Dearborn Heights businesses.  “Usually people take care of orphans, not steal from them,” Sadr Foundation board member Rached Masri said.

Broken glass is seen here in the lobby area of Eclips Salon after the break-in.

Often times Muslims place money in the donation boxes to fulfill religious obligations. Al-Mabarrat President Hassan Sobh said all lost or stolen donations are automatically matched, so donors can rest assure the proceeds made will still reach orphans and touch their lives. 

Masri says the box donations have been instrumental in providing orphans with food, clothing, education among other resources and services. “When someone steals these boxes they’re stealing food from the mouths of starving orphans,” Masri said. 

“I want to thank people for keeping these boxes in their businesses, despite some ongoing issues, I encourage them to continue supporting needy orphans with them.” Masri urges business owners to hide the boxes in a secure place after operating hours, to avoid leaving them out in the open. 

In the wake of recent events some businesses have had the boxes tied down. “When it is tied down…it is practically impossible for them to get it,” Sobh said. 

Depending on the traffic of businesses, boxes are picked up once a month to once every two months. Various other charities have experienced the same type of theft with their donation boxes being stolen from CVS, Walgreens and McDonald’s.  

 Sobh says business owners should act fast if they experience similar incidents. “The first thing they do is call police and make a police report, ” he said.  He is encouraging others to keep their eyes open, and speak up when they see something suspicious.  

During one incident that occurred at Sajouna bakery of Dearborn Heights a Sadr Foundation box was stolen after one man asked for a shawarma, as it was being made the thief placed the box in a bag. Business was slow at the time. 

“We sincerely appreciate the generosity of donors. I want to thank Dearborn and Dearborn Heights Police for helping catch the thieves. Together through the collaboration of law enforcement officials, business owners and charities we can help prevent the reoccurrence of such theft,” Masri said.