Home Contra Costa County Thieves Target Salvation Army Kettles In Contra Costa County

Thieves Target Salvation Army Kettles In Contra Costa County

by ECT

Concord, CA— The Salvation Army is left reeling after thieves once again target red kettles in Contra Costa County. Two kettles, and all the money inside, have been taken in just three days. It’s a disappointing start to the annual Red Kettle Campaign that helps fund critical services all year long for the nonprofit.

The latest theft happened Tuesday, November 26 in broad daylight. Two men sprayed an unknown substance in the face of a bell ringer outside of the busy Hobby Lobby store in Concord and took her red kettle. Inside was all of the money she had worked hard to raise during her shift. The woman was offered the rest of the day off with full pay, but she refused, wanting to continue raising money for a great cause.

“I am shocked by this,” said Major Gwyn Jones, Concord Salvation Army Officer. “In my 30 years as a Salvation Army officer responsible for coordinating red kettles, I’ve never had one stolen. Now, we’ve had two kettles taken in just three days.”

The first theft happened on the evening of Saturday, November 23. A man posing as a Salvation Army volunteer tricked a real volunteer bell ringer into handing over the red kettle outside the Lucky Supermarket on Arnold Drive in Martinez. The imposter made off with $350 to $400. Police reports have been filed in both cases and officers are investigating.

“If you think you’re not hurting anyone by snatching a kettle, you’re wrong. This helps real people in the Concord area with things like food and shelter all year, not just during Christmastime,” said Major Jones.

The money collected in the iconic red kettles makes a crucial difference in the lives of thousands of people every day in Contra Costa County. The Salvation Army collects the bulk of its funds for the entire year during the holiday season.

To support The Salvation Army’s mission to meet human needs in Jesus’s name without discrimination go to www.gosalarmy.org. There you can also learn about all of the services the nonprofit provides across Northern California and Nevada.

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25 comments

W Wilson Nov 27, 2019 - 11:11 am

Any description of the perps. Juveniles?

Dawn Nov 28, 2019 - 4:35 pm

Two black guys, ages 20-30 .. 5’8″ .. average built …. rode two bicycles. I hope there are enough security cameras to catch those thieves. I’m going to write a check for those two amounts stolen and take it directly to the offices of the Salvation Army! This organization is doing great work.

Ray Nov 27, 2019 - 11:21 am

Obama’s sons?

Hank Nov 27, 2019 - 6:48 pm

Ray is the type of dude to be racist to black women or children, but never a black man because he’d get his ass beat.

Anon for This Nov 28, 2019 - 3:25 pm

Hank, it’s important to keep in mind that Hank and his alter ego, Sven, are quite simply, morons.

Anon for This Nov 28, 2019 - 3:27 pm

Sorry…caught it as I clicked submit…I meant Ray as the bearer of stupidity.

Martin Reed Nov 28, 2019 - 4:38 pm

If you’re such a believer of truth, then you would sign your REAL name, but you’re nothing but a coward! Ashamed of including your real name? I wonder!

Donna Kirk Nov 28, 2019 - 6:59 pm

Anon for This ——– If you want to see a bearer of stupidity, take a look in the mirror.

Lola Saavedra Nov 28, 2019 - 4:31 pm

Hank! I’ve confronted black men about their lack of decorum and once they saw me, they just quietly went away. Having a black belt in Shito Ryu karate and also having taken other martial arts (Krav maga sure helps)…. sure help make them humble. They didn’t want THEIR asses kicked…. and I was ready.

BEARMAN Nov 28, 2019 - 5:03 pm

I’ve confronted black men and one they saw my height and weight, they knew how they would wind up if they tried to go anywhere near my ass. They bowed and quietly backed off

Debra Nov 29, 2019 - 3:24 am

Hank! Then the black guy would get his ass given back to him!

Roxanne Fox Nov 28, 2019 - 4:40 pm

Obama’s sons and daughters! You got it, Ray!

Anon for This Nov 28, 2019 - 8:33 pm

Roxanne, what is it about this site that attracts racists like you and Ray?

Roxanne Fox Nov 29, 2019 - 3:15 am

Hey Anon! Just to reminds you! We can be on any site and say what we feel and if the facilitator doesn’t like it, he can censor the information. Piece of cake! Are you with me?

Violet Nov 28, 2019 - 6:55 pm

Yes, Ray! Obviously, ghetto sewer rat disease and pestilence which has infested our communities!

Viking Queen Nov 29, 2019 - 3:19 am

I hope those two SOB’s are caught and dealt with. We need more stringent laws to put those types away for a long time.

Lauren Nov 29, 2019 - 3:21 am

You’re right, Ray! Who else would do such a thing?

Simonpure Nov 27, 2019 - 11:35 am

Any other words in your vocabulary Ray?

TSG Nov 27, 2019 - 12:27 pm

We will get more and more of this because crimes don’t get punished any more.

Jerry Nov 27, 2019 - 6:41 pm

How about they get some handouts from the Catholic Church since it’s the “salvation” army? I’m sure churches don’t need those million dollar stained glass windows, custom designed woodworking, etc. Shoot the Vatican has its own bank for f**ks sake, ask them for money, not the common man.

Lamar Nov 28, 2019 - 8:01 am

Your a frikin retard! Million dollar stained glass windows? Really! Custom wood work? You sound like a disgruntled ex communicated / former Catholic Church goer. Your a jackass!!

Marie Rossi Nov 28, 2019 - 5:08 pm

Have you ever been in Vatican City? My cousin is a priest with a PhD in Medieval Studies who works in the Vatican Library. It would blow your mind at how many historical documents they have there which are very important to who and how has helped advance not only church history but also the history of civilization

Paris Mariott Nov 28, 2019 - 5:13 pm

What a horrible things to do! Steal from an organization which helps the poor! Shame on those thieves!

Lola Saavedra Nov 29, 2019 - 3:30 am

It really takes someone from the very bottom rung of our society to steal money collected to help poor people. We need to work on eliminating this garbage that has impacted our neighborhoods!

Dahlia Nov 30, 2019 - 2:24 am

I feel so shamed that my black brothers would do such a dastardly thing! When they are found – and they will be found — no punishment should be spared on these creeps! Shame! Shame!

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