Youth group grateful for donations after robbery

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. (WSVN) -- A Christian youth group is heading back home after they experienced a tough trip in South Florida.

The church group headed back home to Oakland, California Monday night after seeing both the good and bad side of Miami.

The van the group rented was broken into while they were eating at a Pollo Tropical restaurant, located at 1805 South Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, Thursday night.

About $12,000 in cash was stolen, along with their luggage and IDs.

Once their story aired, 7News viewers reached out to the group, and for that, the group said, they are grateful. "Thank you, Channel 7. You guys have been great people. The community got together and helped us out a lot," said group member Jose Flores.

Leylane Cruz said, no matter what happened, they were blessed. "God blessed us through you guys, through the people of Miami," she said. "I know once we got here, we got the bad side of Miami, but, in the end, we got the good side of Miami, and we knew the people of Miami have a good heart."

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