BROWNSVILLE -- Thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of equipment from a Brownsville-based non profit on Sunday night.
Employees at the Hispanic Active Relationship Project (H.A.R.P.) went in Monday morning to find a shattered window, and several computers and projectors gone.
"They really didn't realize that what they're doing, the impact that this is going to have in the community," H.A.R.P. Associate Director Karen Anzak said.
The local non-profit organization located off Alton Gloor Boulevard counsels struggling couples and helps military families deal with deployment.
"It is a desperately needed service with the pregnancy rate being so high in Cameron County, with the divorce rate being so high in Cameron County," she added.
Anzak said the estimated worth of the equipment they stole was more than $10,000.
“This is a great blow to Cameron County, not just to H.A.R.P. but to the Cameron County community,” she said.
Perla Garza, the site director for H.A.R.P., was the first one to report to work and found the broken window.
Despite having an alarm service, no one was aware of the break in until that morning.
"They cut out all the phone lines and the light and so the security company was unable to get an alarm that something had happened," she said.
She added that the computers and laptops had lots of information needed for daily operations, but nothing sensitive that compromises their clients.
But to her, the loss will still be felt for weeks to come.
"It is equipment that is needed by us to do our daily duties for our job and to service the community," she said. "It's something that we do for this community."
They turned to Action 4 News in hopes of recovering what was taken from them so they can continue their work.
"If you could please contact the authorities or contact our offices and let us know, and if you're the person that took this, please bring it back," Anzak pleaded.
If anyone has any information on the stolen items, they should contact Brownsville police at (956) 548-TIPS.
H.A.R.P. is also seeking donated computers or laptop so they can continue their counseling courses and consultations.
Anyone wishing to help out can visit their website at www.harpcc.com.
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