Thief runs off with $500 from charity

The Salvation Army's Christmas kettle campaign lost some collected cash Thursday night after the charitable organizations counting centre was the target of a thief.

Salvation Army Major Mervyn Halvorsen said they don't know whether the person had information about the centre's location or just came across it.

"As [the] Salvation Army, we're there to help individuals and we were trying to address the need of this individual and all of a sudden, we turn around, the person is gone and the money's gone," Halvorsen said.

He noted that nearly$500 was taken a stack of bills from the first kettle that had been counted.

Halvorsen said steps are now being taken to increase security at the kettle sites and at the counting centre.

Despite the loss the Salvation Army said its fundraising goal of $150,000 is within reach. To date, the organization has raised more than $90,000.