Woman Steals Charity Box From Store, Caught On Camera, Police Searching

A woman was caught on camera stealing a charity box from a store in Liverpool, England, on Saturday.

CCTV footage of the theft showed the woman distracting an employee of the store by asking him to get an item for her. As the boy looks for the item on the other side of the store, the woman slowly slides the charity box into her handbag. After the employee returns, the woman pays for the items and leaves the store with the box in her bag.

Merseyside Police said the theft took place Saturday evening and was reported the same night. Police slammed the woman for her "low" act and asked people to help them identify the culprit.

"We are aware that there is CCTV in circulation in relation to this incident and I would ask that anyone who recognizes the woman featured contacts police as we would like to speak to her at the earliest possible opportunity,” Community Policing Chief Inspector Graeme Rooney said, the Liverpool Echo reported.

"This money was clearly destined for charity and it's hard to believe that someone would stoop so low as to target both the business and the good cause they are supporting. I’m sure the community share our outrage and determination to find who did this. Please come forward with anything you know and we will take positive action,” Rooney added.

The money was meant for a charitable organization named “Zoe's Place,” which provides care for children up to five years old who are suffering from life-threatening diseases.

In a similar incident in November, three women were caught on camera stealing a charity box full of cash from a fish restaurant in Manchester. Police said the women worked as a team distracting shop employees and stealing charity boxes. CCTV footage showed three women entering the shop and checking the menu. While one woman puts some money in the box and leaves, the other two continue looking at the menu. One of them then uses the menu to hide the charity box and slowly slides it into her friend’s handbag and the two leave without buying anything, the Bolton News reported.