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03-16-2005, 11:18 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A Girl Scout troop stood in disbelief as a man came to their booth at a supermarket and ran off with an envelope containing $320.
One of the five girls from Troop 4180 had recommended a box of Thin Mints when the man reached into the cash drawer and grabbed the envelope. An adult with the girls chased the thief but couldn't catch him.
Troop leader Jeri Smith said the third- through fifth-graders were in disbelief.
"It was a bad experience. They were really shook up," she said.
The girls were working their stand inside a Kroger store around 2:30 p.m. Saturday when the man came by and said he'd never bought Girl Scout cookies before, Smith said. He handed one of the girls $3, then said he wanted a second box but only gave her $2 more.
When the girl pointed it out, the man snatched the envelope.
Smith said the money would have paid for the girls to go to summer camp. Kroger employees took up a $25 collection, but Smith said the girls won't sell from a booth anymore.
One of the five girls from Troop 4180 had recommended a box of Thin Mints when the man reached into the cash drawer and grabbed the envelope. An adult with the girls chased the thief but couldn't catch him.
Troop leader Jeri Smith said the third- through fifth-graders were in disbelief.
"It was a bad experience. They were really shook up," she said.
The girls were working their stand inside a Kroger store around 2:30 p.m. Saturday when the man came by and said he'd never bought Girl Scout cookies before, Smith said. He handed one of the girls $3, then said he wanted a second box but only gave her $2 more.
When the girl pointed it out, the man snatched the envelope.
Smith said the money would have paid for the girls to go to summer camp. Kroger employees took up a $25 collection, but Smith said the girls won't sell from a booth anymore.