Vandalism to two Salvation Army trucks used to pick up donations couldn't have happened at a worse time.

That's what Joey Versaw said Friday when he recalled broken windows, dented roofs and stolen tools and other equipment taken from the trucks last week at the Salvation Army store on West Seventh Avenue and Garfield Street.

The store, which Versaw has managed for 1½ years, already is hurting for donations to stay afloat. Now, it's a week behind in collecting items that could be put to use on store shelves.

"We're really struggling and I know the location is part of the problem, because we're on a one-way street in an industrial area," Versaw said. "But the store has been here for 20 years and it's a scary time for me as a manager trying to keep the store running when we're so low on donations."

In the early morning hours of May 14, at least one man camping behind the Salvation Army climbed a fence, grabbed some bricks, and busted out all the windows on the two store donation trucks, according to Versaw. He believes three men were involved who also stomped on the trucks' roofs, stole tools and the GPS systems from inside the vehicles. The men also ravaged the garbage and recycling area behind the store, creating a huge mess, Versaw said.

"They were still camping there the next day, with the tools from the trucks and the GPS systems, and their crack pipe and drug paraphernalia, so they weren't the smartest to continue camping there after what they did," Versaw said.

Eugene police arrested Gregory Alan Weldon, 45, on charges of unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, second-degree criminal trespass, and second-degree theft. He is incarcerated at the Lane County Jail. Police identified Weldon as the only suspect in the case.

Versaw, who is disappointed in the police response, said he has attempted to reach Eugene police six times since the incident to follow up but has not heard back.

Ironically, Versaw noted, the suspects who allegedly committed the crimes were camping in a tent given to them by the Salvation Army just one day prior. The store regularly gives backpacks, sleeping bags and tents to the homeless but with less donations coming in, it is struggling to keep up with providing that service.

Versaw asked for community members to consider donating to The Salvation Army. The store is at 2065 W. Seventh Ave.