Update: Man steals fundraising tip jar for child battling blood disorder in Warner Robins

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – People came out to Jus One More Bar & Grill Saturday afternoon for a fundraiser for five-year-old Matty Hancock.

Matty had his collection jar stolen last Sunday.

Organizers say they expect more than $5,000 in donations and Hancock’s mom tells us the theft was a blessing in disguise.

“People learned about hemophilia and gave Matty something he will never forget,” Matty’s mother Leah explained.

Warner Robins has issued an arrest warrant for 24-year-old Daryl Thomas of Florida. Restaurant manager Joann Sulak told us she will not press charges if Thomas apologizes to the family, returns the money and wears a collection sign during the fundraiser.

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One Warner Robins Bar & Grill is trying to find out who stole a tip jar right off its counter top Sunday night. 

The manager says the restaurant has been raising funds for a little boy battling a rare blood disorder, hemophilia, and she can’t imaging who would steal the money. 

“I actually saw him reading the flyer on Matty, and I guess that’s when he decided to steal Matty’s money,” Joann Sulak, the manager, said. 

She goes over security videos every day. Sulak says she can’t figure out who stole one of the bar’s tip jars filled with cash. 

“I take the money out every day, but that particular day it was probably like $175 in there that day,” Sulak said. 

Security video shows a man with a jacket move the jar, place it under his coat, and walk out of the bar. 

“I knew it wasn’t one of my regulars because we’ve never had to worry. In fact it was somebody that nobody knew,” Sulak said. 

Warner Robins police officers are investigating the incident and are working with Joann to find any clues. She thinks she might have one. 

“I’ve narrowed it down to like 6 to 8 credit card slips because I saw him pay with a debit card,” Sulak said. 

The money inside the jars is for five-year-old Matty Hancock, a Warner Robins boy battling the blood disorder. Sulak says she’s shocked anyone would steal from a sick child, but adds her customers are helping raise the money back. 

“Everybody is just coming together bigger and better. The money has already been returned back from my customers,” Sulak said. 

While she’s calling it a setback, Sulak is positive law enforcement will catch the crook. 

“I’m thinking he’s been in trouble before, because that’s not the first thing that comes to your mind to steal that baby’s money….unless you’ve stolen a baby’s money before,” Sulak said. 

Jus’ One More Bar & Grill is hosting a fundraiser this upcoming Sunday to help raise money for Matty Hancock. There will be food, bands, and a silent auction. 

Jus One More Bar & Grill is located at 4993 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, GA 31088.