An East Patchogue thrift store that prides itself on helping the community was robbed earlier this week.

Police say Maria Guiterrez-Monterrey, of Westhampton, took cash, coins and jewelry from Angels of Long Island on Monday.

Angels of Long Island founder Debbie Loesch walked outside her office for a delivery for Diaper Awareness Week when the incident occurred. Surveillance video captured Guiterrez-Monterrey going in and out of Loesch's office several times, according to authorities.

"I had to do a lot of praying, including praying for the person that robbed me," Loesch says. "You get deflated - I was outside collecting stuff to give away for free."

A worker had spotted the suspect leaving the private office, and they kept her in the store until police arrived.

Loesch says even though the woman was caught, $1,600 in bank deposits are still missing.

"I make it affordable for people to shop, but I have to sell a lot of $3 clothes to make my overhead every month," Loesch says.

A GoFundMe page was started by someone they have helped in the past to assist the small thrift store financially.

Within days, they have already raised more than what was stolen.

Loesch says she originally felt betrayed, but now she is grateful for the community and calls it a blessing to be able to do what they do.

Guiterrez-Monterrey is being charged with two counts of grand larceny.