Two signed NHL jerseys from a charity auction were stolen from the Rexall Store in Carlingwood Mall on Monday night.
The store’s manager Greg Brown said he was heartbroken when he heard the alarming news Tuesday.
The custom framed jerseys were autographed by goaltenders Corey Crawford, from the Chicago Blackhawks and Martin Brodeur, formerly with the New Jersey Devils.
Brown said he purchased them knowing they would bring in a lot of money for the Rexall Foundation silent auction. He said bids for the two jerseys were already at $1100 when they were taken.
“This is money that was pulled from children who need it, medically fragile children, children with disabilities, children with cancer, the foundation supports them all,” said Brown.
Brown said the jerseys were put inside a room at the Rexall store on Monday night. Tuesday an employee went to retrieve them, but they were gone. Surveillance video confirmed they had been stolen.
“They did figure out where we were hiding the jerseys and took them from a concealed closet in the store and walked out around 8:10,” said Connor Price-Kelleher, an employee at Rexall.
The situation is especially upsetting for Brown, who said the Rexall foundation supported his family when they needed it.
“When my son was born, he was born with many disabilities and life limiting conditions and at the same time I was diagnosed with high risk cancer and our Rexall Foundation, which supports many children’s charities including our own CHEO supported my family when my son was sick and I was sick at the same time,” said Brown.
Since the robbery, Brown says the community support has been overwhelming, with everything from cash donations to a signed Craig Anderson jersey, courtesy the Ottawa Senators Foundation.
“We thought it was important to right this wrong so we've provided a couple gifts to help Mr. Brown with his fundraising efforts,” said Jonathan Bodden from the Ottawa Senators Foundation.
The silent auction will continue until Monday.
