The reward now stands at $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of the men who ransacked the Granville Home of Hope.

That’s $1,500 more than the initial reward offered after two men stole everything but the dining room table May 8 after disabling the alarm system.

The value of the stolen items — which included the stove and refrigerator — is estimated at $17,500, making the crime a felony. The burglars also caused an estimated $2,500 in damage.

“We are now offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the thieves that did this,” said Darius Assemi, Granville Homes president.

Anyone with information should contact the Fresno Police Department at 559 621-6311 or Granville Homes at 559 492-4049.

Thieves in White Dodge Journey SUV, White Pickup Truck

A passer-by saw the men and snapped a picture of one of the vehicles at about 5:50 a.m. Upon seeing the on-looker, the men fled. One of the suspects drove a white late-model Dodge Journey sports utility vehicle with black wheels. The other drove a white pickup truck with a blue stripe on its side.

Varus  Kardashian won the Granville Home of Hope, which raises funding for nine local nonprofit groups, in a May 1 raffle. The home is in Granville’s Belterra community in east-central Fresno.

Chief Dyer: Vehicle Appears Similar to One in Other Burglaries

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer noted that the white Dodge SUV appears to be the same one used in a series of residential burglaries in the area.

“As long as drug addicts are allowed to remain on our streets instead of being locked up, thefts of this nature will continue to occur,” he said, referencing state laws that have reduced former felonies to misdemeanors.

Thieves Hit St. Jude Home in 2018

Last year, thieves broke into the St. Jude Dream Home and stole thousands of dollars worth of appliances. In that burglary, the thieves used a white pickup truck and also disarmed the burglar alarm.

The St. Jude Dream Home is built annually by De Young Properties of Fresno and raises money to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The hospital supports children fighting cancer and other childhood diseases.

Home of Hope Has Raised $5.8 Million

This year’s Granville Home of Hope sold out, with 100% of the $600,000 raised going to local nonprofits. The event has raised more than $5.8 million since 2006.

Macy’s Furniture Gallery and Fashion Furniture donated the furnishings in the home.

Disclosure: Darius Assemi is the publisher of GV Wire.