Money stolen from yard sale for animal rescue

A local animal rescue is seeking donations after some of the money the group raised during a yard sale over the weekend was allegedly stolen.

Robyn's Nest, located at 130 N. First St. in Miamisburg, hosted a semiannual yard sale on Saturday.

The nonprofit animal rescue and adoption organization sold furniture and other items to raise money to pay for pet supplies.

At the end of the yard sale, the group gave away for free items that it was unable to sell.

A woman later identified as 27-year-old Brittany West asked for several of the remaining items, including a love seat, dining room table and vacuum cleaner, according to a police report.

West said she had no way of transporting the items home, and a volunteer loaded up the goods in his vehicle and drove her to 227 S. Third St.

The volunteer said he noticed West attempting to conceal a white cloth item in her hand as he unloaded the items, the report states.

The volunteer said he later discovered that some of the money from the yard sale was missing, which he kept in a nail apron on the floor of his truck.

The volunteer contacted police, and reported the theft of about $200, the report states.

Police attempted to contact West but instead met with her relatives. The relatives told police West had a drug problem and she had stolen from multiple people.

The volunteer picked West out of a police line-up, and officers spoke with her at the Montgomery County Jail, where she was booked on an unrelated criminal charge, the report states.

West denied stealing the money, but she said she was interested in cooperating with police to get out of jail.

The yard sale usually raises between $750 and $950, but Saturday's event only raised about $450 after the theft, said Brenda Powell, a senior volunteer and supply buyer for Robyn's Nest.

"She stole approximately $350, but we can't be sure," Powell said. "We know which volunteer's bag that was, and she knows it was more than $200."

The organization is asking for donations to help recoup the money lost to theft. The stolen money would have paid for vet bills and food and care.

People can donate online at robynsnestrescue.com or by mail.

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