SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida restaurant owner has been left reeling after, she said, a thief stole a jar filled with cash donated by customers that was going to be used to help feed local healthcare workers.
Mei Yu, who owns Tropical Chinese in Southwest Miami-Dade, said the theft happened in broad daylight, Sunday afternoon.
Yu said the greedy grab unfolded in seconds.
“He jumped over the bush, and then he came and grabbed the jar and ran off,” she said.
Surveillance video captured the masked subject approaching the restaurant and quickly snatching the jar before running across the parking lot.
Yu said he got into a white getaway car.
“We saw it happen, but we couldn’t run after him because he was in the car,” said Yu. “He ran off with his friends in the car.”
Yu said the thief got away with nearly $1,000 in cash.
“I’m so angry because this money is for the front line healthcare workers,” she said. “I’m serving not just doctors. It’s doctors, nurses, environmental housekeeping, the whole entire staff.”
Hurt and heartbroken, Yu said this was more than just money, but her way of helping heroes battling the COVID-19 crisis. After her mother lost her battle to leukemia in late 2019, Yu’s affinity and gratefulness towards doctors and nurses, who gave her mother a fighting chance, grew.
“One night, my mother couldn’t breathe because she had fluid in her lungs,” Yu said. “They resuscitated her, and I got an extra six months with my mother, so how can I not take care of them?”
The restaurant owner said she has been using customer donations to feed local healthcare workers. She has traveled to five South Florida hospitals, serving more than 2,600 meals.
“They go to work every single day, and they go home to their families. They’re risking their families’ lives,” said Yu, “so my meals go to every single person that’s in the COVID unit.”
Now she’s forced to put her plans to help on hold, but she hopes the clear surveillance video will help police track down the crook responsible.
“I hope this person is taking this money to help their family, to do something good and not using it frivolously,” said Yu.
In the meantime, she hopes her customers will donate digitally to the restaurant’s GoFundMe page, where she has raised over $24,000.
“I am not stopping until our government finds a cure,” Yu said.
On Monday, a longtime customer of Yu’s, who owns a business nearby, cut a check for $1,000.
If you have any information on this theft, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
Anyone with questions and concerns about the coronavirus can call the Florida Department of Health’s 24-hour hotline at 1-866-779-6121.
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