Cafe thefts now hit charity

A local cafe has been devastated by a spate of thefts in recent weeks.

Teede & Co. was the victim of a number of brazen robberies, the most recent being the theft of a donation tin for mental health charity headspace last week.

Owner Alison Teede said she was dismayed that someone would steal donations to charity.

“It’s stealing from the community, not from us,” she said.

“It’s just really sad.

“I don’t want to be less trusting ... I’d rather trust people than chain everything down.”

Headspace Albany manager Andrew Wenszel said it was sad to see a generous cafe being targeted and donations withheld from the community.

“It’s really sad, particularly for a business that goes out of its way to be community minded and supportive to be exploited in that way,” he said.

“We’re really grateful businesses like Teede go out of their way to support us and take donations for us.

“If this is a theft done by someone in need themselves, that’s a real shame, but if they are not coming forward and asking for help then agencies like us don’t know they are needing help and can’t link them into services to stop things like this happening.”

Ms Teede said in the past month her handbag, containing her wallet and passport, was stolen from her car as well as food items, which were taken from the business’ fridge, and there was an attempt to break into the cafe.

“We are a business that tries hard not to put a huge mark-up on things, we try to be reasonable ... and then to have people take you for granted,” she said.

The cafe, which is known for participating in suspended coffee schemes and providing meals for those in need, often donates leftover meals to Community Living Association and Young House.