John Allen Rowell Charged with Stealing Funds from Miracle League Bowling Event
(Elizabeth Schanz, Jan. 18, 2024)
Waterford, MI – A 41-year-old man accused of stealing $300 in cash and a check for $210 in donations from a fundraiser for a charitable organization was arrested on Monday, Jan. 15. Police say the man issued a full confession to detectives, and the money was recovered.
The theft took place on Jan. 6 at Century Bowl in Waterford, Michigan where Miracle League, an organization that provides children with disabilities opportunities to participate in organized baseball, was holding its event. A man, now identified as Flint resident John Allen Rowell is accused of stealing the brown bank bag that donations were being collected in and was located behind the registration table.
The Jan. 16 press release from the Waterford Police Department said detectives from the Waterford Police Special Operation Unit were able to identify Rowell with video footage from the bowling alley and was able to be tracked to his location at a Flint-area motel. Additionally, White Lake Township Police, Flint Township Police, and Michigan State Police helped to take Rowell into custody.
In a statement from Miracle League, provided by Chelsea Heckathorn of Near Perfect Media to the Oakland County Times, said, “We’ve (Miracle League) worked closely with the authorities as they continue to investigate the funds taken. We’re thankful for the overwhelming outpour of community support the last few days.”
Directly following the event Susie Glasgow, a team support specialist for Easterseals Miracle League of North Oakland, posted the Miracle League of North Oakland Facebook page expressing that the theft tested her “faith in humanity.”
“I personally want to thank all of you for your support during all of this today, it truly shook me to the core. We work tirelessly to make these programs happen for our families and for something like this to happen, I am devastated,” read Glasgow’s post. “For those of you who reached into your own pockets to help cover some of our loss from this today, I thank you from the bottom of my heart….there is a special place in heaven for you.For the individual who stole from us today….Karma, enough said.”
In addition to stealing from the Miracle League event, Rowell also attempted to run, unsuccessfully, from the police at the time of his arrest,” is an absconder from the Michigan Department of Corrections and is also being sought in connection with a robbery, by Michigan State Police,” according to the Waterford Police Department’s press release.
Rowell’s case will be presented to the Oakland County Prosecutor.
Glasgows post also thanked fellow Miracle League volunteer “Scott” and the staff of Century Bowl in helping to aid the process of police reports and aiding the police department in their search.
Additionally, Miracle League emphasized their appreciation for supporters of the wider goals of the charity.
“The generous donations that we have received will allow us to continue Miracle League’s mission of supporting individuals with special needs and providing adaptive sports in Southeast Michigan that meet player’s unique needs,” Miracle League’s statement said.
Miracle League advocated for people to continue to support its programming through volunteering, donations or sponsorships which can be found on the organization’s website.
