Early morning smash and grab at Albany ARC - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

APD responded to a burglary at the Albany ARC thrift store. Someone smashed through the glass front door to get inside.

Employees say this is the second burglary within a year. And they don't understand why people would steal from a program that helps those with special needs.

Using night as his cover, a thief had his pick and choose of items inside the ARC thrift store. And employees are left cleaning up the mess.

Police say someone broke in thru the front glass door. "Donations helps us to help people in need. With disabilities or without. It doesn't matter," said Joyce Griswell Director of Employment. 

Just about anything you need for your home can be found here. "We're here to help people and if someone needs something just come ask," she said.

Once police arrived they found a black man in the alley pushing a grocery basket with a TV and Microwave inside. He was taken in for questioning and released.

Police initially told us the items in his basket belonged to the store. But after an investigation they found the items were not the property of ARC.

"You have to go on, because there's a constant need in our community. There's always going to be people in need," she said.

They estimate it's going to cost $300 or more to fix the door. No charges have been filed yet in this case.