MACON, Ga. — A suspect in the burglary of a Macon non-profit is now in custody, according to a Facebook post from the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.
On Wednesday morning organizers were cleaning up after someone burglarized Jay's Hope Foundation on Forsyth Street and broke a window, and stole several things in the charity organization’s offices and playroom.
It was reported that someone trashed the offices, and took cards that were meant to pay for gas and food for kids who were undergoing treatment and their families.
The suspect also took multiple gifts that were meant for childhood cancer patients and siblings, as well as various donations for an upcoming fundraising event.
On Friday, investigators took the suspect into custody at a nearby restaurant where they say he stored a suitcase full of items belonging to the nonprofit foundation.
The Facebook post says they found donated gift cards and checks belonging to Jay’s Hope Foundation inside a travel bag.
All items will be returned to the organization, the post says.
13WMAZ spoke with the founder of Jay's Hope Foundation, Cindy Gaskins, after the burglary.
"I think the destruction is the most hurtful to me. More than them just stealing from us," Gaskins said.
Gaskins started the foundation 18 years ago in honor of her son Jay Gaskins.
"He was always thinking of other people. And when we were on treatment he was always worried about his other little buddies going through treatment and wanting to pray for them at night," she said.
Her son passed away from brain cancer in 2006 when he was five. Since then, Jay's Hope Foundation has helped several thousand other families battling childhood cancer.