Red Kettle stolen from bell ringer outside Wayne Kroger store

Police: Man ripped Salvation Army donation kettle from stand outside Kroger store in Wayne

WAYNE, Mich. – Wayne police are looking for a pair of Grinches after a Salvation Army Red Kettle was stolen Friday afternoon outside of the Kroger on E. Michigan Avenue.

According to police, a blue Dodge Durango pulled up to the curb around 4:30 p.m. Friday. A black man got out of the passenger side of the vehicle and grabbed the bucket while the female bell ringer was standing right there. The robber then got back into the vehicle and fled eastbound on Brush Street.

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"A man walked up to the bell ringer. He looked like he was about to donate but instead ripped the bucket right off the post," said Cpt. Derek Rose, of the Salvation Army. "There was around $200 in cash in that bucket which is a huge hit for a us this time of year. Our bell ringer did what she could by running after him, but he just dragged her along before jumping back in the car."

The driver of the vehicle was described as a white man. Both suspects were described as 20 or 30 years old. The black man was described as being dressed entirely in black and wearing a black hat. No weapon was shown, but excessive force was used to rip the kettle off of its stand.

"Eighty-five cents of every dollar goes back to the community," said Rose. "It could have went to toys for kids or a utility payment. It's just sad."