Powerhouse to hold fundraiser after robbery

Last weekend, the Powerhouse Community Arts Center was broken into and robbed.

Wayne Andrews, director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, said the police believe it was broken into late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

Approximately $1,000 was stolen from the office, including money from the donation box, Andrews said. The robbery was discovered by the staff and volunteers of the upcoming play “Reasons to be Pretty,” which had come in to set up for production.

Normally, the Powerhouse only has about $100 on the premises, but Saturday was full of events, Andrews said.

There was a play rehearsal, a photo shoot for an approaching production, a dance workshop and a private reception, so there was more cash around than usual.

Andrews said there is a designated “safe spot” for the money, but a new staff member accidentally put it in the wrong place.

The thief entered the building by jamming a screwdriver into the antique doors and jiggling it until the doors could be forced open. The money was stolen and the office was ransacked, Andrews said.

Volunteers worked Sunday to repair the damages.

Police were at the scene Sunday morning obtaining information and looking for anything that could be helpful in finding who committed the crime.

Andrews said because money was stolen from the donation box, they were able to get fingerprints, which will hopefully help in the search for suspects.

To replace the funds that were stolen, the Powerhouse is holding a fundraiser.

Andrews said this week people have been giving up a lunch or cocktail and donating some of their savings to the Powerhouse.

“It gets you back into the spirit of things when people help out like this,” Andrews said. “Whoever stole that money stole from the entire community, because of all the events that are hosted here.”

The Arts Council makes many of these events and organizations possible, including educational programs, performances and local talent shows.

For more information on the fundraiser, go to the Facebook page “Powerhouse Break-In Fundraiser.”

They have not discovered anything new thus far, but anyone with information should contact the Oxford Police Department at 662-232-2400 or Crime Stoppers at 662-234-TIPS.