Sandy MaloneBowling Green, KY – Police are searching for two men who stole a donation jar benefitting a cancer-stricken Bowling Green police officer from the counter of Jet’s Pizza on Sunday (video below).
Bowling Green Police Officer Ed Pulley has been fighting a public battle with cancer and the community has been very supportive, WBKO reported.
Jaren Nugent, the owner of Jet’s Pizza, held a fundraiser last year in his restaurant and afterwards, he kept the donation jar benefitting Officer Pulley on his counter to promote ongoing support.
The jar was taken from the counter on Jan. 6 and the theft was captured by the restaurant’s security cameras, according to WBKO.
Bowling Green police posted video of the theft to their official Facebook page and asked the community for its help in identifying the thieves.
“Lately, you have helped identify porch pirates and the likes taking thing belonging to others,” the post began. “Many of you have been or are involved in the support of Officer Ed Pulley. Ed’s family has received over-whelming support from our community and they are eternally grateful. Jared Nugent keeps a jar on the counter in continual support for Ed and his family. On Sunday, these two stole the jar. If you know either or both, let us know. #bgpd #jetspizza”
The video showed two men, who appeared to be teenagers or young adults, standing at the counter putting their purchases in a bag as the store employee walked away from them.
One of the suspects was wearing a coat with its hood up and sunglasses inside the store.
The second suspect was wearing a hoodie with the hood down and sunglasses on his head, the video showed.
Surveillance video showed the second suspect turned back to a table to collect his belongings before he returned to the counter briefly before they left.
As he passed by the counter, he placed a bag he was carrying in front of the donation jar and swept the vessel away under his arm as he walked out, the video showed.
Less than 20 minutes after Bowling Green police posted the video of the theft, they posted an update that said the donation jar thieves had been identified, but not yet apprehended.
“UPDATE We have identified them, just need to find them. Thanks to everyone,” the Bowling Green Police Department posted on Facebook along with several close up still photos of the thieves.
Police have asked community members to contact the police if they know where the suspects can be found.
Watch the donation jar get stolen in the video below: