Donations for woman recovering from tragic accident stolen from Suffolk coffee shop

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Someone broke into the Pourfavor Coffee Shop in Downtown Suffolk on Wednesday night, and stole cash from a donation jug, police say.

Two years ago,  Marie and Tina DePredo opened Pourfavor in Virginia Beach and Suffolk.

“It is an awesome place,” Marie said.

Their mission: to have good brew and serve the community.

“The community has been very supportive,” she added.

So when they heard about a family friend getting severely injured in March, they knew they had to do something to help.

“She is a young college student who just had a whole lot going for her,” Tina said.

24-year-old Alexis Livingston is a Regent University grad and first year law student at Liberty.  She was on her way home from spring break when she hit a tractor trailer head-on in Petersburg. She suffered a severe brain injury.

“When she was in the accident we right away jumped in,” Tina added.

Donation jars were put at the two locations. They were to help with medical bills.

“People put money in these jars all the time, but we never thought that anything could happen,” Marie said.

Wednesday night around 10, someone had his own plan brewing. Video shows the man pulling out the door several times at the Main Street location.

“Why did he do this,” Marie asked watching the video? “All he has to do is cut the grass and we will give him some money.”

He then breaks in through a side window and goes straight for the jar.
“Disgusting,” Marie said.

“He knew what he was going for,” Tina added.  “That’s disheartening to me.”

The owners believe the suspect has been in the coffeehouse before and knew exactly what he was taking.

“I’m not even mad at him,” Marie said.  “I feel for him and his family.”

DePedro says they feel so badly about what was stolen the money they plan replace that if it is not found.

Pourfavor is holding an event for Livingston on October 18 at the Virginia Beach location on Lynnhaven Parkway.  They are asking for everyone to wear pink and come in between 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. to help raise money. There will be live music and raffles.