Businesses look out for Lake Wylie neighbor

Lake Wylie businesses are looking out for their neighbors.

Following several thefts of the donation shed behind Sweet Repeat Charitable Foundation’s thrift store in Lake Wylie Plaza, Anchor Self Storage decided to make its own donation to the group.

Yvette Herberger, manager of Anchor Self Storage, was given approval of business owner Steve Gentry to give a video surveillance system valued over $500 to replace the outdated and poor quality system Sweet Repeat was using.

“I felt bad their donations were getting stolen,” Herberger said. “We gotta work together.”

After seeing video of the thieves cleaning out the donation and ministry sheds posted online, Herberger thought “They gotta have a better camera than that. I can make sure they can catch possible future thefts with better equipment.”

The new system includes two cameras and a DVR, with hi-def ultra clear night vision. It’s the same quality the storage facility uses, Herberger said.

Van Orcutt Jr., owner of Carolina Access Control, installed the equipment free last month, said Lisa Hooper.

Thefts were reported Jan. 26, and twice in two weeks Nov. 8 and Nov. 18 after thirft store volunteers found the shed empty in the mornings. Thieves stole everything, even the broom used to sweep out the shed. A volunteer also 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.

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,” co-manager Eve Foery said then. “All the organizations we give to are going to suffer. It’s just not fair.”

York County Sherriff’s Office charged Jonica Suzanne Palmer and Jack Emmett Stallings Jr. in the January incident, according to reports. Charges included burglary, petit larceny, criminal conspiracy and possession of tools used in the crime.

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

“Thanks to the new equipment and monitoring system, Sweet Repeat is in much better shape to protect the donations that do come in during off hours,” Hooper said. “With the new equipment we will continue to give back to the community and provide a safer and more secure environment.”

The group prefers donations, however, be dropped off from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, or by appointment. Sweet Repeat accepts gently used clothing, household items and furniture.

“The more we get, the more we can give,” said co-manager Eve Foery.

The group also seeks new members. Store hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. For more information, call 803-831-0722.

This story was originally published March 21, 2016 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Businesses look out for Lake Wylie neighbor."