SOMERS, Wis. – A 68-year-old Racine man was arrested last Thursday, June 5, after allegedly stealing money on multiple occasions from donation boxes at Hawthorn Hollow, a nonprofit nature preserve and arboretum in the Village of Somers.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
Clyde Thomas Degroot was taken into custody by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office after investigators reviewed surveillance footage showing the thefts. A source familiar with the investigation told Kenosha County Eye that Degroot was caught on camera stealing from two separate locked donation boxes on the property.
The Sheriff’s Office referred six misdemeanor charges to the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office: two counts of Theft–Movable Property of $2,500 or less, two counts of Possession of Tools for Entry into Locked Coin Boxes, and two counts of Entry into Locked Coin Boxes. Degroot also received two non-criminal citations for Trespass to Land. He was released the same day after posting statutory bail.
Hawthorn Hollow, located off Green Bay Road in Somers, is a 40-acre nature sanctuary operated by the Hyslop Foundation since 1964. The site includes prairies, gardens, woodlands, and historic buildings, and it serves as an outdoor classroom and community resource for environmental education and conservation.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Hawthorn Hollow depends on donations to maintain the property and offer educational programs. The alleged thefts are seen as a direct attack on those efforts.
Degroot has not yet been formally charged. Prosecutors are still reviewing the case, and a court date will be scheduled if charges are officially filed.
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9 Responses
Douche
When are people going to realize that there are cameras everywhere!!!!
Has there ever been a man named Clyde who wasn’t a criminal?
Clyde “The Glide” Drexel, but yeah
No.
I noticed a new box out there Saturday. What a POS, stealing from a non-profit
Not a very smart man
Complete trash
Asshat