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Girl Scouts robbed while selling cookies at local store

Fairfield County Sheriff's Deputies are looking for the person responsible for stealing more than $570 from a Girl Scout Troop.

The Fairfield County Sheriff's Office is searching for the person who stole more than $500 from a Girl Scout troop which was selling cookies outside a Walmart in Canal Winchester on Winchester Boulevard.

Troop 2439 out of Reynoldsburg is raising money for a trip to Tennessee by selling 4,000 boxes of cookies.

“We have had three of the girls lose a parent. We’re taking a trip to Tennessee for four days so these girls can just get away from the stress of it all,” Troop leader Melissa Blankenship said.

Around 1pm Sunday, someone came up and swiped their cashbox.  The Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council told 10TV bystanders tried to track down the suspect but the person got away with $571. No one was hurt.

The council says the safety of the girls and volunteers is paramount and the leaders at the Walmart on Sunday followed their safety guidelines by the book.

The council urges all girls and volunteers who are selling cookies to take precautions, stay together, and be aware of their surroundings.

The company called the incident unfortunate and says this does not represent the experience of hundreds of other fundraisers on their properties.

Walmart said they have comprehensive security plans in place which are always reviewing them to make sure people are as safe as possible.

If you would like to help the troop, you may contact the troop’s co-leader at melblank78@gmail.com.  She said they can deliver cookies anywhere in the Columbus area. People can also donate at this GoFundMe page.

The suspect is described as a white male in his mid-20s, approx. 6'0" to 6'2", 150 to 175 pounds, wearing khaki pants and a blue sweatshirt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective James Nicolia at (740) 652-7338 or jnicolia@sheriff.fairfield.oh.us.

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