THIEVES raided a charity supporter’s office and made off with computer equipment worth £2,500.
The culprits who ransacked Dee-Tex, on River Lane Industrial Estate, Saltney, also smashed a fleet of vehicles parked on site, before fleeing with their haul in the organisation’s van.
North Wales Police are investigating the break-in, which is thought to have happened at about 9pm on Tuesday and which was also captured on CCTV.
Director Brian McManus said: “I feel like screaming from the houses.
“We work so hard to help other people so this has come as a massive blow for us.”
The social enterprise, based at the Brymau 4 Trading Estate on River Lane, sells second-hand clothing and donates the proceeds to charities across Flintshire and Chester, including Miles for Smiles and Save The Family.
It provides work placements for ex-offenders, people with learning disabilities and the long-term unemployed.
Thieves took three computer systems worth about £2,000 and other electrical equipment worth an extra £500.
They smashed the headlights of a white van – incurring damage worth £600 – and also targeted Mr McManus’ personal caravan which was parked on the compound.
Finally they made off with their loot in a yellow van belonging to the social enterprise.
Mr McManus was alerted by a security guard on Tuesday evening and made a late-night inspection of the unit.
He said: “My wife was in floods of tears. We were in shock.
“They have kicked both doors open and just ransacked the office.
“After this we will make this unit the depot but move our administration elsewhere.”
Mr McManus said the CCTV footage shows three men were involved in the break-in.
A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “We were called at 11.35pm following reports of a break-in at River Lane Industrial Estate in Saltney.
“Crime scene investigators are at the scene to try and establish more information.”
Anyone with information can call North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
- Last year Dee-Tex, which was formed in 2006, was named the best performing social enterprise in the UK by the Royal Bank of Scotland.