2 Arrested For Theft From Fallen Philadelphia Officer's Scholarship Fund
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Two suspects are now behind bars facing robbery charges for stealing more than $1,000 from a memorial scholarship fund honoring murdered Philadelphia Police Sergeant Pat McDonald.
The theft, which occurred days before the third anniversary of McDonald's murder, has outraged fellow officers, friends and family members.
Worse, police say, the two suspects, who went on a shopping spree through Northeast Philadelphia, actually targeted a fund administrator, knowing the stolen card would give them access to cash donated in the murdered officer's memory.
19-year-old Janaye Sheehy of Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery County, turned herself in to detectives Wednesday morning. Her alleged accomplice, 19-year-old Marcell Lozada surrendered a few hours later.
Police say the suspects, after breaking into a car and stealing the purse with the card inside, used it to buy clothes at two stores in the Northeast along with cigarettes and other items at a local gas station.
The fund honoring Sgt. McDonald was started by his father, Larry, only a few days after his murder on September 23,2008.
Larry McDonald later died from a heart attack, practicing on his bike for a ride and fund raiser to benefit families of murdered officers.
On the third anniversary of Sgt. McDonalds murder, he will be honored at the grand opening of a new gym for the Liberty Bell Youth Organization, who will name their new facility after him.
If you are interested in donating to the fund, please visit http sgtpatrickmcdonaldfund.org.
Reported by Walt Hunter, CBS 3
