Thief caught on camera stealing money raised during fundraiser

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Friday, February 24, 2017
Thief caught on camera stealing donations raised by bar
Thief caught on camera stealing donations raised by bar in Sante Fe, Chauncy Glover reports.

SANTA FE, TX (KTRK) -- A Santa Fe bar owner has a strong message for a man caught on camera stealing money from a fundraiser.

The bar hosted a fundraiser for 53-year-old Bradley VanAllman after he suddenly died.

"He's (VanAllman) been a part of this bar for many many years," said owner Steve Garcia. "He's part of the community here in Santa Fe. He came down from North Dakota and made this is home."

During the fundraiser, the community raised $4,500 to help get VanAllman's body back to his family in North Dakota.

Surveillance video caught a thief taking the money early Saturday morning.

"It's one thing to steal from us, everybody gets on hard times," Garcia said. "But this is a dead man trying to get back to his family. He should've never done that and this community can never forgive you."

While police continue to search for the suspect, VanAllman's friends are still hoping to get him home to his final resting place.

"I would still really like to see Brad get home, and I'm not sure how we're going to do that but one way or another I'll like to see it done," Teryl Garcia said.

You can support the family's GoFundMe here.