Whiting Woman Surrenders to Police in Stealing Donation Jar

STONE HARBOR — A Whiting woman surrendered to Stone Harbor Police on Tue., Nov. 2 for stealing a donation jar from the local Wawa food market on Fri., Oct. 22.
That jar contained $40, and was destined for the Thomas Fielder family, whose five members include two girls and a boy, lost their Petersburg home in a Tue., Oct. 5 fire.
According to police, Lauren Kelley Demko, 26, of Whiting turned herself in to Detective Robert Walker of Stone Harbor Police Department. After an interview, Demko was charged with a disorderly persons theft. During processing, she was found to be in possession of several prescription pills without a prescription.
She was additionally charged with felony possession of prescription medication. Her case is pending review by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s office.
The jar was reportedly discarded on the roadway as Demko left the borough on the day of the alleged crime.
The Herald was the first media to report the incident, having been contacted by the store manager. The Herald quickly posted a photo from a surveillance camera and video from a different camera on its website.
Demko could be clearly seen picking up the jar after purchasing some items, and departing.
A citizen reportedly viewed a similar video on a Philadelphia television station, and made the identification, according to police.
ORIGINAL STORY:
STONE HARBOR — An as-yet unidentified female has many eyes searching for her after she allegedly stole a collection jar from the Wawa food market here. That jar contained cash donations, and was destined to aid a Petersburg family left homeless after a fire.
According to John Fiorenza, general manager of Wawa Store 342 at Third Avenue and 94th Street, on Fri., Oct. 22 at 2:06 p.m., a female entered the store, and picked up the collection jar that was designated to assist the Thomas Fielder family. She then put it down.
The Fielders’ home in Petersburg was heavily damaged in an Oct. 5 fire, and they lost almost all of their possessions. The connection between the Wawa here and the Fielders was Thomas had worked in that store for about two years, and many locals knew him, according to Fiorenza.
The employees felt that a collection jar would be a good outreach for the community to help someone many knew because of his work there. Fielder is now employed at the Rio Grande Wal-mart as automotive supervisor.
According to Fiorenza, that female left the store, then returned at 2:15 p.m. She purchased some cigarettes and candy, and walked away with the collection jar as well, and was recorded by surveillance tape in the act.
The tape was turned over to Stone Harbor Police detectives, said Fiorenza.
Fortunately, Fiorenza said, about 45 minutes prior to the theft, some of the donated cash had been removed from the jar, but some was left.
Police are investigating the crime, and ask that anyone having information about the identity of the individual to contact Detective Sgt. Tom Schutta of Stone Harbor Police at 609-368-2111 Ext 132.
Meanwhile, the collection will continue anew for the stricken family.
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com