Man admits stealing donations


January 10, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

Man admits stealing donations

Associated Press

PAINESVILLE

A Northeast Ohio man has pleaded guilty to stealing a Salvation Army donation kettle days before Christmas.

The News-Herald in Willoughby reports 55-year-old Jeffrey L. Gregg pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft Wednesday in Painesville. He’ll be sentenced Thursday.

Lake County sheriff’s Chief Deputy Frank Leonbruno says the red kettle had an estimated $300 to $500, but no one knows for sure.

Deputies said Gregg — who has no permanent address — stole the kettle from in front of a Giant Eagle grocery store Dec. 21 by convincing real Salvation Army volunteers that he was taking over the bell-ringing shift. Soon after, he put the kettle in a car and left.

Detectives used surveillance video to catch up with Gregg, who was sleeping in his car.