Anonymous donor gives to vendor who reported money stolen from craft festival

An anonymous donor has given $2,500 to the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri to pay for earnings stolen from a vendor at last weekend's Christmas Arts and Crafts Extravaganza, according to a news release from the arts council.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to a report Sunday afternoon of a vendor who was robbed at the Osage Community Centre.

The facility was put on lockdown for about 20 minutes while police searched for the suspect. A money bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash and checks was reported stolen from a vendor's booth about 1:30 p.m. by a woman the vendor had noticed was watching her over the course of the weekend.

The police department reported Sunday that no one actually saw the woman take the money or saw her leave the location.

The arts council gave the vendor the donated $2,500, refunded her booth fee and reserved her a space at next year's event, according to the arts council news release.

Pertinent address:

1625 N Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO