Kentucky Suspect Accused of Stealing Money Meant to Go to Charity for Sick Children

Authorities say a Kentucky man has been arrested after he allegedly broke into a family tire shop and stole charity money and cash from the register.

Around 8 p.m. on May 1, surveillance footage from Thompson Tire in Lewisport shows a black SUV with a passenger pull up to the business, according to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said the suspect, later identified as 32-year-old Trenton Thorpe, threw a hammer through the glass front door and proceeded inside.

Thorpe allegedly went right behind the counter and took money from the store’s St. Jude charity board, authorities said.

According to investigators, Thorpe stole over $3,000 from the charity board before returning a second time and taking money from the cash register.

Thorpe was inside the tire store for less than three minutes before he left the scene, police said.

Dave Thompson, owner of Thompson Tire, told WEVV, "The board was actually something my father started. The money he took in the register is nothing compared to what happened here. I can take a 200 dollar loss, but what they've done to these children here...is awful."

Deputies said they found the money board at the home of Thorpe and Carie Roberts, but there was no money on it.

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On May 3, Thorpe was arrested and charged with burglary, criminal mischief and theft, police said.

According to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, charges will also be filed against Roberts, but she wasn’t at the home when Thorpe was arrested.