Kerikeri shop owner forgives thief as donations repaid

Kerikeri Sushi Gallery owner Brian Gu says he has forgiven the man who stole his shop's charity donation box and urges others to do the same. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

A Northland man who admitted stealing a donation box for sick children has apologised and donated $100 to the charity, double the amount he took in the first place.

About 8.10am on October 4 a man entered to Kerikeri Sushi Gallery, took a Kidney Kids donation box from the counter, slid it under his hoodie and walked out.

At the time shop owner Brian Gu said a donation box was the last thing anyone should steal because the money had "come from people's hearts".

The theft was, however, captured on CCTV, leading to the arrest a few days later of a 34-year-old Kerikeri man. He has since appeared in the Kaikohe District Court charged with theft.

Mr Gu thought that was the end of it but on Thursday morning the man's employer delivered a handwritten apology and $100 cash for the donation box. It was thought $40-$50 was in the box when it was stolen.

In the letter the man gave his name and expressed his remorse for his "despicable act".

Mr Gu said he was pleased the thief had owned up and was convinced the apology was sincere. He had forgiven him and urged others to do the same.

The man's boss was giving him a chance to make a fresh start in life, Mr Gu said.

The outcome, and the positive reaction to the apology on a local Facebook page, made him glad to live in Northland.

"We want him to see that people welcome his actions. It will encourage him to do better."
The sushi shop has a new donation box which is now chained to the counter.

Kidney Kids NZ chief executive Keith Mackenzie said he was thankful for the apology and the donation.

"We hope he has learnt from his mistake ... these donations are very important to the children we support."

Last month an Opua business owner also gave $50 to Kidney Kids to make up for the stolen donation box.