Cancer victim’s family experiences wide range of emotions as theft case is solved
This week has been an emotional exercise for Christine Schaney. Anger over Monday’s theft of donations intended for her 5-year-old niece who has cancer, happiness from Wednesday’s arrests of two of the three suspects who state police said were involved and sadness over the fact that one of the suspects is only 19 years old.
“Here is a 19-year-old boy who has his whole life ahead of him,” Schaney of South Union Township said Thursday. “He may have children and face something like this in his future.”
Douglas Lee Gump, 19, and Mary Elizabeth Landman, 44, both of Greensboro, Greene County, were charged with theft by unlawful taking, conspiracy to commit theft and receiving stolen property, said state police trooper Charles M. Morrison.
They were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Brenda Cavalcante and placed in the Fayette County Prison on $10,000 straight cash bond.
Preliminary hearings for both are tentatively scheduled for Thursday before Senior Magisterial District Judge Lawrence Blair.
Morrison said he obtained an arrest warrant containing the same charges for Gump’s uncle, Richard Leo Gump, 39, of the Evergeen Mobile Home Court in Greensboro.
“He’s on the run from us,” Morrison said.
After they allegedly stole the wooden donation box that was decorated photos of Alexandra, Morrison said they took it door-to-door in the Bobtown and Greensboro areas and collected more money, but not for the little girl.
“They spent every last dime on drugs,” Morrison said, citing Douglas Gump’s confession.
The younger Gump also told police that the box was empty when he stole it and that his uncle was the driver.
Employees at Panera Bread on Matthew Drive in South Union Township, where the box was stolen from, told police it contained about $100 in cash, Morrison said.
Morrison said Cumberland Township police in Greene County previously charged the younger Gump with stealing a donation jar for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts from the Sheetz convenience store at the corner of Routes 21 and 88, and with stealing donations for someone’s kidney transplant operation.
Because Gump was on probation for those thefts when he allegedly stole the donations from Panera Bread, Greene County probation officers filed a detainer against him to keep him behind bars at least until a probation revocation hearing is held, Morrison said.
Schaney said the box for donations that was stolen Monday from Panera Bread was one of many fund-raisers already held and being planned for her niece Alexandra Schaney since she was diagnosed with cancer in April 2004.
Alexandra is a daughter of Clint and Kelly Schaney, who moved from South Union Township to North Carolina in 2000.
Christine Schaney, Clint’s sister, said family members here have raised $27,000 for Alexandra’s treatment since she was diagnosed. They have held candle parties, Tupperware parties, sterling silver parties and other fund-raisers in the last year and half, she said.
Keri Harmicar, marketing coordinator or Panera Bread, said each restaurant is permitted to collect for different charities every month in what is called “Operation Donation.”
Donations for Alexandra Schaney will be accepted two months this year – this month and in November – at the South Union Township Panera. A new donation box or jar for Alexandra will be placed in the restaurant, she said.
“They will have to keep a better eye on it,” Harmicar said.
Donation thefts occasionally take place at other Panera restaurants, she said. The new one at the South Union site might be chained down, but she doubts anyone else would try to steal it after all the publicity from Monday’s theft.
The restaurant also is donating all of the profits is generates from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 30 to the Schaney fund, Harmicar said.
She said Paneras in Clarksburg and Morgantown, W.Va., also are collected money for Alexandra.
In addition, the Fayette County Commissioners declared Sunday, Oct. 2, “Alexandra Schaney Day” at Woodland Zoo’s Herald-Standard Pavilion in Farmington.
The fund-raising event will feature eight music bands as well as a car and motorcycle show, and runs from noon to 8 p.m., Schaney said.
Children under 12 years old will be admitted free. Tickets cost $12 at the gate and $10 if purchased in advance. Advanced tickets can be purchased at angelsforalexandra.com
Woodland Zoo also is offering $4 tickets for admission to the zoo.
Schaney said that since the theft, people have been calling her and asking how else they can donate.
She said an account for Alexandra has been set up at PNC Bank. Donations can be mailed to PNC Bank, Angels for Alexandra Fund, Attention Anita Tobal, 2 E. Main St., Uniontown, Pa., 15401.