The theft of bushfire appeal charity tins from an Albion Park Rail hotel last week is still raw for those in the community.
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"They'll get what's coming to them," Oaks Hotel Motel general manager Belinda Bartlett said.
"No words can describe how shocked and disgusted we actually are by their act.
"They just don't have a heart, and they don't have a conscience."
Lake Illawarra officers were called to the Oaks Hotel Motel about 3am last Tuesday after a glass door was smashed at the back of the property, triggering a security alarm.
CCTV footage shows a man enter the hotel, run to the bar, grab the two Rural Fire Service and bushfire appeal tins and run out through the same door.
Police said the man appeared to target the tins.
There was some positive news for the venue and RFS on Monday, though.
Australian Hotels Association NSW will make a donation of $1000 to replace cash taken during the theft.
Mrs Bartlett said they could only speculate as to how much money was in the tins, but estimated $400 to $500 had been collected over a two-week period.
AHA NSW director of Liquor and Policing John Green said following the thief's "low" act, doubling the money taken from the hotel bar was the least the association could do.
"Many people in the area gave generously to the bushfire appeal at the Oaks Hotel, (and) we believe their actions should not be spoilt by a cold-hearted thief," Mr Green said.
Mrs Bartlett said they were "absolutely over the moon" to receive the donation.
"There's been a lot of public outcry about this obviously, and we've got a lot of locals and a lot of staff members that generously donated, so it was very sad to see, but this result today is absolutely incredible," she said.
Mrs Bartlett and Mr Green both hoped the publicity from the donation would help police find the culprit.
"There's a lot of people out there, a lot of people talk, and it's a very tight-knit community here at Albion Park Rail, so somebody will know something," she said.
"Search your soul, do the right thing, and bring the property back," he said.
Lake Illawarra Police District acting inspector Tony Peterson said inquiries into the incident are continuing.
He said police were appealing to the public to watch the CCTV footage, and if they have any information to contact Crime Stoppers.
Mrs Bartlett said they hadn't yet determined the exact amount of damage done to the venue door by the thief, but said "we're looking anywhere from $600-$700 (and) up".
The club is also undertaking further fundraising for the RFS.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
