A Massachusetts man was arrested for stealing a cash box from a group of Cub Scouts that were collecting donations.
Kenneth Paul Smith Jr. of Glocester, Rhode Island was charged with larceny and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.
Malden police said Smith snatched the donations box from a scout's mother Sunday, outside the Malden Stop & Shop and fled from the scene, reports the Associated Press. A witness clicked a photo of the man as he ran away yelling "Times are hard!" The woman tried getting hold of him but could not catch him. Smith Jr. was arrested Monday.
The Malden police tweeted a surveillance image of the suspect who stole the Cub Scouts of America collection can outside of Stop and Shop.
Police did not recover the $238 stolen, however, the supermarket donated $150 and other customers have pitched in.
Smith Jr was described as approximately 5'8", wearing a white T-shirt and black jeans with reddish hair and freckles.
Another witness told police she saw the man stealing the box and followed the suspect in her vehicle. She said she saw the suspect change from his white T-shirt into a gray tank top. However, later she lost sight of him
According to Malden Police Detective Lieutenant Marc Gatcomb, donations from Stop and Shop and from shoppers helped the scout and his mother to completely recover their losses..
Stop & Shop said the male culprit was seen on their surveillance enter the store after stealing the money and putting something in his shoe.
