Relay for Life, which raises money for the American Cancer Society, had its proceeds from a fundraising event on the Corner stolen early yesterday morning.?
Students were holding a bar night at Mellow Mushroom when a man entered the restaurant and stole an envelope containing the group's money, said third-year College student Kathy Feeney, president of Relay for Life at the University.
"We had a table set up near the front of Mellow Mushroom and three girls sitting at it selling cups," Feeney said. "An older man walked into the bar; he was over age 35 and it caused a little alarm, because why is this older man in Mellow on a Tuesday night?"
Feeney added that the older man began a conversation with the girls selling cups and then leaned over the table and "snatched" the envelope containing the money out of one girl's hand.
Although no one was physically hurt in the incident, Feeney noted that she believes the girl who was holding the money at the time of the robbery is now shaken.
"Psychologically -- for that to happen -- that's a little bit jarring," Feeney said, "having someone essentially mug you while you are sitting in a bar, where you think you are going to be safe."
Charlottesville Police Sgt. Richard Hudson confirmed the incident and described the suspect as a black male between the ages of 35 and 50 with a medium build. He added that although several people pursued the suspect into the Wertland area, he has not been apprehended.
Mellow Mushroom co-owner Andrew Watson said this robbery was the first incident of its nature to occur at Mellow Mushroom, adding that he hopes to implement some precautionary measures as a result to prevent any similar future occurrences. One idea Watson suggested is to move the "greeting area" further into the restaurant.
"Then people have to come all the way into the restaurant to commit a crime," Watson said. "If it's right by the front door, they just can come into the restaurant and leave."
Another possibility, he said, is to put collected money in a more secure place.
"Once they have a certain amount of money they can take it back to the bar, and we can hold it there," Watson said. "So, if money is stolen, it's not all of their money."
Feeney said Relay for Life -- for which the fund-raising monies were raised -- is still planning to hold its 24-hour event this weekend. She noted that her group is hoping to make up as much of the stolen money as it can by then.
"Everyone is amplifying their own personal efforts," Feeney said.
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