'Absolutely Pointless' Crime Targets Vital Community Service
In a senseless act that has left community volunteers baffled, a charity store in Lake Macquarie was broken into over the weekend, with the thief making off with nothing but worthless costume jewellery. The incident at the Edgeworth Allira House Op Shop on Arnott Street, Edgeworth, has been labelled an 'absolutely pointless exercise' by the shop's manager, Kim Heys.
Ms Heys was alerted by Toronto police around 8:30am on Sunday, January 4, 2026, and rushed to the store to survey the damage. She discovered the business's glass entrance door had been smashed, with debris scattered across the entryway.
Valueless Haul and Costly Damage
The intruder did not trigger the shop's alarm, as they never fully entered the premises. Instead, they reached through the shattered glass to grab a five-tier jewellery display stand. The contents were later found strewn across the car park and up Arnott Street.
'The jewellery was all costume jewellery so no value,' Ms Heys stated, emphasising the futility of the crime. The real cost came from the need to replace the damaged door, which set the charity back approximately $1000.
Ms Heys spent hours at the store on Sunday, cleaning up broken glass and waiting for repairs. She noted the shop had been closed over the Christmas and New Year period, meaning there was no cash on the premises to steal.
'It was an unnecessary and expensive break-in,' she said, highlighting the frustration that funds meant for helping those in crisis were now being diverted to repair vandalism.
Police Investigation and Community Impact
Toronto police officers attended the scene, collecting the discarded jewellery and removing a rock believed to be used to smash the door. The investigation is ongoing, with police hoping CCTV footage from neighbouring businesses along the shopping strip will provide crucial leads.
The Edgeworth Allira House Op Shop is part of a network run by a non-profit organisation. The critical funds it raises support women and children escaping domestic violence, making the financial hit from the break-in particularly damaging to its vital community work.
Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Witnesses or individuals with knowledge about the break-in can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
