Man Charged With Stealing Leukemia Research Donation Jar From Long Island 7-Eleven
LINDENHURST, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A man has been arrested and charged with stealing a donation jar for leukemia research from a 7-Eleven store on Long Island.
Matthew Donadeo, 20, of Lindenhurst, was arrested by Suffolk County police officers Madeline Cunningham and John Sheridan at a friend's house this past Tuesday, police said.
Isabella Pine's photo was on the jar. The 8-year-old died in October 2012.
"We put the donation jar on the counter right after my daughter had passed away. She was diagnosed with AML leukemia and she passed away five days later," Isabella's mother Dianne Pine told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall earlier this week.
Pine is also the 7-Eleven store manager. She said more than $11,000 was raised for cancer research since the jar was put at the front of the store.
At the time the jar was swiped, there was about $75 inside.
The Leukemia Lymphoma Society said it depends on the funds from Isabella's jar, CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported earlier this month.
"The leukemia foundation needs their help--those donations. I mean, we all put a nickel in the jar, a dollar there," cancer survivor Patty Manzo said.
Donadeo was charged with petit larceny, along with an unrelated count of criminal contempt for an unspecified offense. He was arraigned Wednesday at Suffolk County First District Court in Central Islip.
The investigation into the theft remained ongoing Tuesday.
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