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Video shows thief stealing donations for Miami-Dade health care workers’ meals

The popular Tropical Chinese Restaurant employees have been using donations to deliver warm food to health care employees in Miami-Dade County.

Donors had been leaving cash donations in a jar that the restaurant employees had left on a table outside at the Tropical Park Plaza, 7991 SW 40th St. No one had dared to steal the cash until Sunday afternoon.

The driver of a white Nissan dropped off a person who was wearing sports slides sandals with white socks, a long-sleeved white top and dark shorts. His face was covered when he grabbed the jar with the cash and took off running to the getaway car.

Restaurateur to thief: 'This is money intended for goodness. Why do you have to steal?'

Mei Yu, the co-owner of the Tropical Chinese Restaurant, had a message for the thief: “I don’t understand. This is money intended for goodness. Why do you have to steal?” She said she wants the thief to use the money for something good.

Miami-Dade police officers are asking anyone with information about this thief to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

For more information about how to donate to the restaurant’s effort, visit this GoFundMe page.

View this post on Instagram

So... this happened to us today at tropical... this is what America has come to. This person took my donors’ jar, the money is intended for our front line heroes. I pray that he and his friend in their get away car really needed that money to take care of their children, their mom and dad. I am distraught. I am sad. I am upset. I am speechless. I am sorry my special friends that have donated cash in that jar and I won’t be able to send your meals to our heroes with your names on the box. I will still send boxes on your behalf’s and name them named “secret angels”. I thank you my friends for keeping me going. Keeping me alive. Keeping my staff’s spirits alive. Vehicle information Tag CRE8411 White Nissan If you care, please share and repost so this person can’t do this to another. Thank you. Police report filed.

A post shared by Tropical Chinese Restaurant (@tropicalchinesemiami) on

View this post on Instagram

I am speechless. Thank you all my angels and hero’s. Thank you my friends for your generous donations. Can you feel the love and gratitude? “Hi! We just received meals from your restaurant. Thank you🤗 to Jose, Lyla, Brittany, Amelia and your family for your kind generous donation. 🙏 Many Blessings” If you care and want to join me in my effort please click on this and donate so I can continue this mission. Thank you. https://www.gofundme.com/f/tropical-chinese-feeds-miami-hospital-workers?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1 Tropical Chinese Restaurant #tropicalchinesemiami #tropicalchineserestaurant #mserensita #fontlineheros #myheros #myangels Laura Miller José J. Molé Brittany Capasso Amelia B Perea

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About the Authors
Andrew Perez headshot

Andrew Perez is a South Florida native who joined the Local 10 News team in May 2014.

Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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