NC Salvation Army collector charged with stealing

ASHEBORO, N.C. — Authorities say a Salvation Army bell ringer in North Carolina stole the kettle he was using to collect money, saying he needed the money to pay court fees.

Multiple media outlets report that authorities say Francis Murray took the kettle from a Walgreens drugstore in Asheboro Dec. 4.

Asheboro Salvation Army Captain Curtis Kratz says he called police when the money from Murray’s collections turned up missing. He says the recovering addict has apologized and says he will return the $63, along with his apron and bell.

Murray has been charged with larceny by employee. He has not turned himself in to police.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)