Thief takes quilt to be raffled off for veterans

Clinton, N.C. — A thief made off with a quilt for which the Sampson County Veterans Service Council had sold hundreds of raffle tickets to raise money to help veterans in need.

A young man told a worker that he was waiting for a ride from the veterans' office, off Rowan Road, around noon Thursday, said Ann Knowles, a service officer for the council. While the worker answered the phone, the man slipped into another room and stole a laptop computer, television and DVD/VCR combination player.

However, the greatest loss, Knowles said, said was a hand-sewn quilt, made in honor of all veterans and donated to the council.

A local woman, Brenda Thompson, had spent three months and $400 to make the quilt, Knowles said. It featured the Blue Star of Veterans and two eagles.

The council planned to raffle the quilt off on Veterans' Day and put the funds towards its programs for needy veterans. The council had already sold 700 tickets, but will have to refund them, Knowles said.

The Sampson County Sheriff's Office is investigating the theft. They have described the suspect as a tall, slender, black man driving a small black vehicle.