Police: Man ran Salvation Army donation scam

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Police in Pittsburgh are looking for a man they say poses as a Salvation Army volunteer then pockets donations from unwitting marks.

Authorities say 25-year-old Luis Nieves has been running the scam in the city for at least two years. Police say he came to their attention for soliciting donations at the Steelers’ home opener.

Police say Nieves had the red vest and credentials normally used by Salvation Army volunteers, but fans were suspicious because he put donations in a box rather than the charity’s signature red kettle.

Officers shooed him away from the stadium but followed up with the Salvation Army and learned details of the scam.

Major Robert Reel of the Salvation Army said that the charity has been trying to catch Nieves for more than a year.