Woman accused of stealing donation jars

COOS BAY, Ore. - A woman accused of stealing donation jars to support a gambling habit faces charges of third degree theft and second degree burglary and could face more charges, police said.

Officers arrested Mindy Clemons, 22, of Coos Bay early Wednesday morning in connection with the theft of two donations jars from the counter of Bayway Market on S. Broadway in Coos Bay on Tuesday.

Police said Clemons is a suspect in the theft of donation jars from several other businesses, too, including The Human Bean, Ashworth’s Market, TNT Market, McKay’s Market in downtown Coos Bay, and Dutch Bros. Coffee locations in Coos Bay and North Bend. Police allege Clemons stole the jars to support a gambling habit.

The donation jars gather funds to support sending support packages to U.S. troops overseas, a fundraiser for a juvenile victim of sexual abuse called “Hope,” and Mr. MHS – a Marshfield High School fundraiser providing snack packs of nutritional food items for qualifying students.

She has only been charged in connection with the Bayway case but additional charges are likely, police said.

Witnesses identified Clemons from a photo line-up and provided vehicle information," police said. She was later spotted and stopped by police as she drove away from a store in the Empire area of Coos Bay.

Clemons was jailed on $27,500 bail.