Landon Wolfe and his dad Todd Wolfe were attending Wednesday’s Lincoln School boys basketball game at the Powers Avenue campus.
While watching the game. they struck up a conversation over a course of 20 minutes with a man who was also there.
They were stunned when suddenly the man bolted toward the concession table, grabbed the cash box, and fled to a waiting car.
Another witness’ 67-year-old husband gave chase to the getaway vehicle – described by Manteca Police as a white Dodge SUV – in the parking lot. He was able to punch the window before the vehicle headed out of the parking lot down Powers Avenue towards Moffat Boulevard.
The fleeing man was described as a black male wearing a dark colored hoodie and described as being 5-foot, 10-inches tall and weighing approximately 350 pounds.
Landon that night used his dad’s Facebook page to reach out to his father’s acquaintances to explain what happened. He asked if they would be so kind as to consider helping with what they could to help replace the lost funds.
He noted the money from concession sales that was stolen was to be used to buy uniforms and equipment for the team.
Landon asked if people could help by donating to his dad’s Venmo account with the notation “Lincoln School Fundraiser”. All of the money donated would be presented to the school.
By Friday, more than $1,000 had been donated.
Landon, an East Union High junior who serves as his class president as well as being the current Manteca’s City Ambassador with Manteca Youth Focus, said he plans to present the money to the Lincoln School principal on Tuesday.
“It is incredible to represent such an amazing city like Manteca that has so many citizens with compassion and empathy for their own,” Landon said. “I am honored to help Lincoln School after what happened. It feels like my civic duty to give back to those in need in my town.”
In December, Landon delivered hundreds of new unwrapped toys he collected for the Valley Children’s Hospital patients.
Landon did so as a way of giving back as he was admitted to the hospital with a serious infection as a baby.
Those that may wish to donate before Tuesday can do so via his father’s Venmo account: @Todd-Wolfe-11.
To deter thieves some school districts in the area have resorted to using online-only ticketing for sporting events – eliminating the need to take cash at the door. While the online ticketing system eliminates the possibility of theft, the school receives less money out of the door take to pay for the cost of using the digital system.
Anybody with information about the vehicle or the person who may have grabbed the cash box is encouraged to contact the Manteca Police Department at 209.456.8101.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
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