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Thieves steal hundreds of scented candles from mom of four in Excelsior Springs

Candles were for scented tarts & bath bombs
Posted at 10:01 PM, Feb 03, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-04 15:24:32-05

Burglars targeted a woman's home business, but her Facebook post pleading for help immediately got results.

It takes days for Charity Greene, 32, to create colorful bath bombs with intricate designs.

She's made a business selling them the last three years alongside scented tarts.

"It is my income. This is what I do. This is how I make my money. This is how I pay my rent, my bills; I'm disabled, I can't work," Greene said.

However on Thursday while away picking up one of her four children, Greene said someone targeted her home.

"My grandpa was in the garage and was like, 'What happened to your candles? Like all the crates are gone,' so immediately I freak out," Greene said.

The thieves stole more than 300 scented candles worth $6,000. 

"Then I go to the basement and they had cleared out everything but the hand soaps," Greene said.

She posted about the theft on the "Stolen KC" Facebook page at 10:03 p.m. Five minutes later, she got results.

"I had people responding and sending screenshots of the woman who was selling them in the Liberty Swap Shop," Greene said.

That woman wasn't only offering a "Valentine’s Day Special," but also posted three pages describing the stolen items.

"Any smart criminal wouldn't do that. You're giving yourself up," Greene said.

In a twist, she knows the alleged crooks.

Greene turned the information from the online detectives over to Excelsior Springs police who made arrests in the case Friday afternoon, according to her.

Although she hasn't recovered the stolen candles she appreciates those who helped.

"I had somebody offer to secure my garage for me. You know, it's amazing to see the love and the outpour that this city actually was contributing and bringing towards me," Greene said.

Green has set up a Go Fund Me page to help recoup her losses. 

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Andres Gutierrez can be reached at andres.gutierrez@kshb.com

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