A Point Edward business, trying to help those in need this holiday season, has been targeted by thieves.
A giving tree is set up outside of Manley's Basics with items such as winter gear and toiletries for people to take as needed. However, some decided to take more than what was being offered and reportedly cut the locks on approximately five sea cans.
Secretary/ Treasurer Carolyn Leaver Luciani said she noticed something out of the ordinary when she went to work Wednesday morning, a hard hat in the middle of the parking lot.
"The [sea cans] weren't completely cleaned out because most of the stuff that's in there isn't that exciting. But our lawn mower and tools, and second lawn mower, and the more important stuff was all taken," said Leaver Luciani.
"We did have video cameras and they took spray paint and they sprayed all of the cameras."
The dollar amount for how much the stolen items are worth was not tallied, as of Wednesday afternoon.
Leaver Luciani said it's violating and frustrating to have their property stolen around Christmas time, especially since their items were locked up.
"It would be nice if people left [other] people's stuff alone," she said.
"It's just frustrating because if you wanted to take stuff, they could have taken the free stuff we have outside [on the giving tree] but they wanted bigger, more expensive stuff."
Leaver Luciani is encouraging residents to report any suspicious activity to police.
Thursday morning, Lambton OPP notified Sarnia News Today that the stolen property was recovered.
Cst. Jamie Bydeley said a stolen U-Haul van with all of the property stolen from Manley's was found at an unspecified address in Sarnia.
The investigation is ongoing.
