13 Action News recently told you about a new not-for-profit thrift shop opening up near Tropicana and Arville. Many of you expressed your excitement about the store on our Facebook page. But over the weekend, Hearts Alive Village new thrift shop was burglarized.
Hearts Alive Village is a Las Vegas animal rescue that helps save the lives of hundreds of animals every year.
In 2017, they spent $50,000 on vet bills to save the lives of 400 dogs and cats.
They knew they would take in even more animals in 2018 and needed to find a way to pay the bills.
They came up with the idea to open up a consignment shop near Tropicana and Arville.
The store is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This past weekend was only their second weekend open for business.
Christy Stevens, the President of Hearts Alive Village, says the store was burglarized Saturday at 2 p.m.
Volunteers noticed a man wandering around the front room of the store before they say he snatched the envelope full of money and took off on his bike.
The rescue group filed a police report about the stolen $500.
"It just happened to be a rush of people, not just bringing things but purchasing, and even with three volunteers here, they got overwhelmed really quickly," said Stevens.
The rescue group doesn't understand how someone has the heart to steal from a non-profit.
"Devestated to think someone could do that," said Hearts Alive Village Executive Director Kelly McMahon.
The group is already taking action to tighten up security.
They not have fanny packs and are looking to get security cameras.
Someone also agreed to build them a money counter.
"One person isn't going to take anything down, we're going to go forward and continue to do our good work."
