CLEAR LAKE, Texas – Police arrested a 71-year-old Seabrook man for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise from a Goodwill Donation Center in Clear Lake.
According to court documents, Martin Gottlieb, 71, admitted to officers he took more than $4,000 worth of electronics, household items, clothes and toys and sold them at a flea market.
"I'm donating it for a nonprofit and that's not fair," said Clara Perry.
Documents said that several times between May 11 and May 15 Gottlieb took merchandise and loaded items in his truck from the stockroom, even as employees tried to stop him. One employee said it happened about 10 times.
"I don't understand people that think they can take things that belong to other people," said Perry.
Police officers arrested Gottlieb at his home on Loganberry Circle Monday where KPRC2 stopped on Tuesday.
A woman answered the door, but didn't want to talk about the allegations.
Goodwill sent KPRC2 a statement saying in part, "As a nonprofit organization, the money we generate from the sale of their donated items goes directly to our mission of creating jobs and providing job training and placement services. We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the theft of these items."
People in the community want to see Gottlieb pay.
"You hope that justice is served. That's the main thing," said Marianne Kennedy.
"I hope at least he's punished and that he understands what he did wrong," said Perry.
Gottlieb bonded out of jail Monday.