Suspect arrested after burglary at a Macon nonprofit, community offers donations

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says it has arrested a suspect in a burglary at a Macon nonprofit.

Burglars allegedly broke into Jay’s HOPE Foundation Tuesday, stealing several items and thrashing the office. The downtown nonprofit has gotten support from the community since the incident happened.

The sheriff’s office said Friday via Facebook that investigators took the suspect into custody at a nearby restaurant, where he had stored a suitcase full of items belonging to the nonprofit on the property.

Donated gift cards and checks belonging to Jay’s HOPE were located inside the travel bag and will be returned to the organization, according to the post.

The burglary was still under investigation. Anyone with information was asked to call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500 or the Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.

How people can help the nonprofit

Founder and Executive Director Cindy Gaskins said the thieves broke in through a window and stole gas and food gift cards to be given to the families the nonprofit serves, a desktop computer, a checkbook, cash, food, donations for an upcoming fundraiser and some other miscellaneous items. She said they also ransacked the office and destroyed property.

“It’s disheartening when anyone steals from others, but even more so when they steal from a nonprofit whose mission is to help others,” she said.

Gaskins said those wanting to help can donate gas and fast food cards to continue to help replenish what was stolen, volunteer, and pray for the organization and its Jay’s HOPE families.

Monetary donations can be made through the Jay’s HOPE Foundation website .

The organization shared the news, along with photos, via Facebook on Tuesday.

In the post, officials from the nonprofit said they wished they could say the burglars didn’t know who they were stealing from, but it’s hard to ignore the pictures of childhood cancer patients on the wall and the messages of hope despite adversity all around.

“They chose to ignore those,” the post stated.

Within 24 hours of the post, thousands of followers had shared it and hundreds asked how they could help.

Jay’s HOPE Foundation was founded in 2006 in memory of Gaskins’ son, Jay, who died of brain cancer at the age of 5. Its mission is to provide hope and support to families who have a child battling cancer.

Gaskins said she was absolutely blown away by the community’s support following the break-in.

“Our community has rallied with their kind words, prayers and support. A group of volunteers have already swooped in to help us clean up the mess and multiple people have reached out to help with replenishing what was stolen,” she said. “Jay’s HOPE feels so blessed to be in such a loving and giving community.”