Thrift store robber accused of “Goodwill hunting”

No house too holy for a thief–not even nonprofit stores dedicated to helping those less fortunate.

52-year-old career criminal Anthony Wayne Armstead targeted Goodwill stores across Columbus, stealing $700 worth of goods last May by loading up shopping carts and leaving without paying. In one instance he made two trips from the store to his car.

Last September saw another run of about $200 worth of merchandise, to which he eventually pleaded guilty and was given a six-month suspended sentence.

“I’ve been prosecuting cases for close to 20 years and have never heard of anyone stealing from Goodwill before,” said First Assistant City Prosecutor Bill R. Hedrick.  “If there were Academy Awards for criminals, Mr. Armstead’s version of ‘Goodwill hunting’ definitely would earn him a nomination for most despicable crook in the petty theft category.”

Unsurprisingly, Armstead hasn’t learned his lesson. He stole from another Goodwill store on March 8, 2016, and is currently on the lam.

Anyone with information on Anthony Wayne Armstead is asked to contact First Assistant City Prosecutor Bill R. Hedrick at (614)-645-8874 or brhedrick@columbus.gov.

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