Alabama Man Steals Salvation Army Donation Kettle And Poses As Volunteer

An Alabama man stole a Salvation Army donation kettle and impersonated an employee to collect donations for his own personal gain.

According to WSFA 12, the Montgomery Police Department is looking for the suspect, last seen in downtown Montgomery with the kettle and a stand. Lieutenant Bryan Farrington with the Salvation Army said the man fled after being confronted.

The suspect has not been arrested, and police are asking the community to be vigilant when donating. 

“I’m not sure if the plan was taking it different places and using that as a way to get money from the community, but we felt like it was our responsibility to let the community know that if you see somebody out there that doesn’t have on a red apron, that’s not standing in front of one of the stores – the Walmart’s, the Winn-Dixie’s, the Belks, the Hobby Lobby’s, that doesn’t have a stand with a sign on it and the kettle will be chained to it. That’s not us,” Farrington said.

Farrington said that a third of the Salvation Army operating comes from the donations they collect during the holiday season. This year, the company is still short of its $250,000 goal amid the coronavirus pandemic.