Frogtown robbed of charity money
Published 3:04 pm Friday, May 31, 2013
A local business raised $6,000 for the Wounded Warriors charity with a poker run last weekend — every bit of which was stolen early Friday morning.
At the start of her shift at about 9 a.m. Friday, the morning bartender at Frogtown found the south Ironton bar and restaurant had been broken into. The Ironton Police Department responded and is investigating the incident.
James Orasco, Frogtown’s chef, said about $12,000 to $15,000 in cash was stolen, some of which was raised to be donated to Wounded Warriors Project, which provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life.
“They took everything,” Orasco said. “Every bit of it was gone.”
Last Saturday’s poker run brought out about 250 motorcycle riders who donated to the cause, Orasco said. Local businesses also donated to the fundraiser.
Orasco said the business was through a window in the kitchen. A metal fence securing the office where the money was kept was torn down as well.
The business was able to open Friday after borrowing operating funds from its sister business, Peddler’s, also owned by Mark Rutledge.
In addition to the cash that was taken, Orasco said the thief or thieves took four security cameras, a DVR recorder, security monitor and half gallon of Jagermeister.
“They took their time,” Orasco said.
The premises also has a locking gate and whomever broke in used the keys for the getaway and took them as well, Orasco said.
Orasco is hoping someone will come forward with information on the break-in since the money was for charity.
“Just turn the person in,” he said. “That money was for a good cause. … It rips my heart out.”
IPD Chief Dan Johnson asked that anyone with information call Det. Joe Ross at (740) 533-5606.