Homestead Couple Supporting Hurricane Victims Falls Victim to $30K Robbery in Tennessee

Jeremy and Brandilyn Hill, a couple from Maricopa, found themselves victims of a robbery while undertaking a humanitarian mission to assist victims of Hurricane Helene. After gathering donations from their community, they traveled 30 hours to Jackson, Tennessee, where they paused at a Howard Johnson by Wyndham Inn for rest.

In a shocking turn of events, their truck was broken into during just a brief four-hour sleep period, resulting in a loss of nearly $30,000 in personal belongings. This included three laptops, two iPads, five firearms, electronics, cash, and donation funds as reported by 12 News.

Brandilyn Hill shared the devastating news on Facebook, stating, “All the cash that people donated for fuel and donations is gone.” The couple had locked the donated cash in the truck’s center console after withdrawing it from Jeremy’s Cashapp account, adhering to guidance that only cash would be accepted in hurricane-affected areas.

Fortunately, the thieves were unable to access a 15-foot trailer filled with supply donations intended for hurricane relief. Committed to their cause, the Hills proceeded to deliver these supplies to Ops Three in Humboldt, Tennessee, to assist in relief efforts in North Carolina.

In a further complication, the stolen laptops provided the thieves access to Jeremy’s business bank account, leaving the couple without credit or debit options. They promptly filed a police report with the Jackson Police Department, where they learned they were not the first victims in that area; others had also reported similar thefts.

The aftermath was grim, with shattered glass strewn across the truck’s rear seats. Jeremy Hill expressed the harsh reality of the situation, stating it has nearly bankrupted him, which poses a challenge for maintaining his business. The couple is now dependent on financial support from family members to navigate their immediate future.

Before their return to Arizona, the Hills plan to assist a former military friend trapped due to hurricane effects in Georgia. Jeremy, an Army veteran, remains committed to the mission, emphasizing the need to help those in distress. “I’ve seen the devastation, and North Carolina right now looks like a third world country. It’s just the right thing to do,” he remarked.