Rochester PD Shares Salvation Army Kettle Theft Suspect Photos

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Rochester Police have released photos of the man and woman suspected of stealing a Salvation Army Red Kettle.

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The Salvation Army in Rochester reported the theft on Wednesday. A news release says the kettle was stolen on Monday evening.

Photos of the suspects were released by the Rochester Police Department on Thursday. The ripped off kettle was stationed at JC Penny’s.

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The still images show the woman suspect in a white coat and white hat wearing red pants. The male suspect, who appears to have a beard, is dressed in a black coat with black pants and black hat.

Rochester Police Department

The footage shows the man and woman approaching the kettle, which did not have a bellringer at the time, and overriding measures designed to secure it before walking away with the kettle bucket. Because there was no bellringer, it's not known if the kettle contained any donations at the time, the news release says.

Rochester Police Department

“We haven’t had a full-sized red kettle stolen in Rochester in years,” said Major Cornell Voeller, Corps Officer for Business at the Rochester Salvation Army, “but we are especially glad that no one was adversely affected, and we can move forward with our Christmas campaign with hopes of meeting our kettle goal by year’s end. The people we serve are in severe need, and the funds we raise from the red kettles are critical to our operating budget in order to meet those needs,” Major continued.

Rochester Police are asking anyone with information regarding the theft to contact the police department at 507-328-6800.

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The theft occurred as the Salvation Army's annual Christmas fundraising campaign is nearing the final stretch. On Friday and Saturday, Mayo Clinic has pledged to match up to $100,000 in donations to the Red Kettle fund drive.

The target for the bellringing effort is $350,000 toward the Salvation Army's overall goal of $1.1 million. Online gifts are being accepted at www.rochestersa.org. The organization says open shifts are still available for bellringing and anyone interested can sign up online at registertoring.com.