A mother called police on her own daughter after spotting her in surveillance pictures released to the news media of a suspect in a string of recent thefts at local churches. Sandra Abrams, 36, of Buffalo is charged with three counts of grand larceny and one count of petit larceny.
Abrams' mother, who is also named Sandra Abrams, says her daughter is a heroin addict who has also stolen from friends and family and she says even though it broke her heart she knew she had to call police. Buffalo police say Abrams was stealing wallets at least four city churches in a desperate attempt to get cash to buy more drugs.
"I'm really sorry for all the parishioners that this happened to," says Sandra Abrams the mother, "Whatever happens to her she has to take responsibility for what she does."
The mother says her daughter was in detox as recently as two weeks ago and had been living on the streets for some time. Last weekend though police released surveillance pictures from a gas station of a suspect using credit cards stolen at one of the churches. The elder Sandra Abrams recognized her daughter and called police. "I want her to get some help. I want her to get well. I want my daughter back so bad," says Abrams.
As much as it breaks her heart she says she will not post bail for her daughter. She'd already banned the younger Abrams from the family home. Police say they found Abrams hiding in a southern tier trailer home Tuesday night. "Before she started using heroin she did 3 years of college, she's a hard worker, she's just... a good girl. She's such a good person but after the heroin she's just a little monster," says the suspect's mother. She's taking a hard stance by refusing to help her daughter with the hope that this will be the turning point that finally brings back the Sandra she once knew.
"No mom ever gives up on their children. Ever. They only want what's best for them. They have to take responsibility for what they do. She has to take responsibility for this," says Abrams, the mother.
Abrams entered a not guilty plea at Wednesday's arraignment. She remains behind bars with bail set at $25,000 for each count. Police so far have not recovered the stolen property.
Twitter
Facebook