TOP STORY OF THE DAY: Theft Alleged at Clay County Food Pantry

Dennis Archer

What happened at the Clay County Emergency Food Pantry Sunday?

As one person took a video, another person allegedly called Clay County 911 Dispatch to report a robbery at the Clay County Food Pantry, 506 East Pinckley Street, Brazil.

The video was broadcast on social media, and the alleged suspects in the video were named and left the scene before the Brazil Police Department could arrive.

“Yes, there is an allegation of theft,” said Brazil Police Assistant Chief Dennis Archer while discussing the matter that occurred on June 19 shortly before 7 p.m. with The Brazil Times.

Archer confirmed officers were provided the video, and they recognized the person in the video. However, Archer said due to the pending criminal case provided to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office, and no details would be released. (The Brazil Times will also not release details to protect the integrity of active cases, including the name of the suspects, although the name was openly broadcast on social media. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.) “This is the world we live in, where people can get things posted online immediately, sometimes before media even knows about what is happening,” said Archer. “We don’t throw stuff out there, like people’s information. When we arrest them, that is different because that is part of the public record.”

To clarify potential misunderstandings, taking things from a donation site is considered theft.

Archer explained that the food pantry has outbuildings that are used for drop-off donations, which are marked with signs stating that taking items could potentially lead to prosecution for theft of violations. “If someone leaves a trash can outside, they don’t expect ownership because it is going to the dump,” said Archer. “We have dealt with this type of complaint over the years at the food pantry or Goodwill. That is different because the items were left for those institutions; the expectation was for it to be used for them, not for everybody.”

Archer explained, “Theft is simply taking something that doesn’t belong to you.”

Another question from social media.

A wreck at the corner of Warren Street and US 40/National Avenue closed down the road temporarily Sunday afternoon, shortly after 4 p.m.

“It was directly right in front of the police department,” said Archer, who was on duty that day. “I think that was the first time in my career I have ever had to respond to an accident right outside the door.”

The accident involved a truck that rear-ended an SUV in the drive lane of US 40. A passenger was injured in the SUV, treated at the scene, and ultimately taken to the hospital for further injuries. (Due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, additional information about the driver’s medical condition is unavailable.)

That is when US 40 was closed so first responders could work the accident for about a half-hour and reopened.

The two incidents were only part of the various calls the Brazil Police Department officers work during the busiest part of every day, usually between 2-8 p.m.