UPDATE: Thieves make clean sweep at Sweet Repeat in Lake Wylie + 2 video

Twice in two weeks Sweet Repeat Thrift Store volunteers found the back donation shed empty at Lake Wylie Plaza.

“They took everything,” said operations supervisor Eve Foery, even the broom they used to sweep out the shed. “We have nothing to process. We’ve been wiped out.”

Sweet Repeat Charitable Foundation is a nonprofit that raises money through the thrift store at 4082 Charlotte Highway. It annually donates nearly $100,000 to several community organizations and charities, and provides Clover High School students with scholarships.

“At this pace, we’re not going to be able to reach our goal,” Foery said. “All the organizations we give to are going to suffer. It’s just not fair.”

Foery said the first theft caught on video was at 8 a.m. Nov. 8 showing two women cleaning out the unlocked shed that sits behind the store in the back of the plaza. According to the York County Sheriff’s Office, the suspects drove a Dodge Avenger or Stratus with the left rear wheel missing a hubcap. Both suspects spent nearly 10 minutes entering the donation buildings and removed several items valued at about $500.

The second theft occurred between 4 and 4:40 a.m. Nov. 18, according to the report. Manager Sherry Richardson said security footage shows a silver or light colored minivan driving up.

“A white male got out of the passenger seat and white female got out of the driver’s seat,” the report states. The man appeared to be in his mid- to late-20s.

“There was no damage to the sheds,” the report states.

Foery said they have noticed donations dwindling the past couple of months, and believe it’s because of thefts. A volunteer reported golf clubs stolen from the shed July 5 when video review showed a white male dropped off donations and took a bag golf clubs.

“I’m angry you’re going to steal goods from us we give to the poor,” she said. “How low can you get?”

The group has operated with the unlocked donation shed at the plaza for more than 15 years.

To combat thefts, the group is closing the shed and accepting donations from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Saturday in the back of the store when volunteers are working. Pickup can be arranged for large donations.

“It’s such a shame because it cuts down on so many people’s donations,” said volunteer Barbara Deuble. “How can people be that nasty?”

Donations are greatly needed. The store accepts gently-used clothing, furniture, kitchen items, jewelry and more.

“We are begging to get donations,” Foery said. “The whole community is affected by this.”

Store hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

To arrange pickup or for store information, call 803-831-0722.

Anyone with information about the thefts should call Crime Stoppers of York County at 1-877-409-4321.

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 1:38 PM with the headline "UPDATE: Thieves make clean sweep at Sweet Repeat in Lake Wylie + 2 video."