A woman accused of walking out of a Pennsylvania veterinary clinic with a donation jar containing hundreds of dollars was arrested after police recognized her the following day.
Surveillance video from PetVet365 South Hills in Pleasant Hills shows a woman picking up the donation container, concealing it beneath her clothing, and leaving the clinic.
Before taking it, she removed a sign explaining that the money supported the Daisy Fund, which helps pets whose owners need financial assistance with veterinary care.
Dr. Ashley Smith-Miller, one of the local owners of PetVet365 South Hills, estimated the jar contained between $400 and $500.
Off The Counter
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The theft happened Friday, Sept. 25, according to CBS Pittsburgh.
The video shows the woman approach the counter, remove the Daisy Fund sign from the container, and set it aside. She then picks up the donation jar, slips it beneath her jacket, and walks out.
Smith-Miller told WPXI the removed sign made her believe the woman understood what the money was for.
“It’s like a gut punch. It’s sickening,” Smith-Miller said.
Recognized Quickly
The woman did not remain unidentified for long.
Pleasant Hills police received a report the next day about a woman panhandling in the area and recognized her as the person suspected in the clinic theft, WPXI reported.
CBS Pittsburgh later reported that Pleasant Hills police charged a Baldwin woman with theft by unlawful taking. Police had not publicly released her name as of Sept. 30.
The clinic shared its surveillance footage on Facebook that Wednesday hoping someone would recognize the woman, apparently unaware police had already found and arrested a suspect.
The money itself was still gone, according to Smith-Miller.
The Daisy Fund
The Daisy Fund is intended to help animals receive medical care when their owners need financial assistance.
Smith-Miller said she hoped the theft could at least draw more attention to the fund and lead to additional donations.
“I guess the silver lining is maybe we can bring more recognition to it and help more animals,” she told WPXI. “That would be wonderful.”