MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Sharron Johnson, the owner of Stone Soup Cafe in Cooper-Young, said she was duped by Nicholas Wren when he came Friday asking for food.
“When everybody’s back was turned when it was closing time he bolted from the restaurant with money we’ve been collecting for the Civitan Club,” Johnson said.
The money was meant to help children and adults with developmental disabilities.
“It was like ‘oh my god, let’s go after him,'” Johnson said.
Johnson and her staff chased Wren all the way down Cooper, according to the business owner.
“We got our hands on the money but then he yanked it out of our hands,” Johnson said.
Police said Wren got away and hit another business two days later.
According to officers, Wren walked into a gas station along Central and Cooper asking for cash.
The cashier told WREG she was scared when Wren snatched a donation bucket from behind the counter.
Police said the cashier was holding on to a second donation box when Wren came around the counter and grabbed it.
“People nowadays just take anything nowadays. They crazy,” Teresa Cole said.
Police said Wren got away with a total of $55.
“He needs to make amends to the people that money was going to. He should help those children that that money went to,” Johnson said.
Wren is expected in court next week on Monday.
