Burglar steals from Seattle nonprofit that helps families through tragedy



SEATTLE -- A Seattle nonprofit organization that has dedicated 54 years to helping families through tragedy needs your help. Someone broke in and stole equipment that could threaten their most crucial fundraiser.

Seattle police are investigating and hoping you can identify the suspect.

Detectives believe he broke into the building on Sunnyside Ave. in north Seattle just before 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Krista Sandberg is the Executive Director of the Northwest Infant Survival and SIDS Alliance. She says the suspect got away with a digital camera, binoculars, Seahawks gear that had been donated, and a laptop that had all the information for their big charity auction this Saturday.

The burglar also stole at least 20 flash drives.



"This is what we provide to families when they have lost a baby," said Sandberg. "How to plan a funeral who to contact for counseling how to get through an autopsy and all that kind of stuff."

Police believe the same suspect also broke into another office in the building, ate some food, drank some beer, and then defecated in a trash can.

It's a crime that can knock the wind out of a small nonprofit like this one.

"My bulletin board here is covered with pictures of babies that you know have died," she said. "And he spent enough time here to know what we do because there's plenty of signage saying Northwest Infant Survival and SIDS Alliance, so he knew who he was stealing from.

Click here for more information about NISSA.

If you recognize the suspect, call the North Precinct Burglary Unit at 206 684-5735.