Authorities: Grinch Stole Red Kettles

HAYWARD, Wis. - There's a Grinch in Hayward and he's going around stealing red kettles from the Salvation Army. There are only five kettles scattered throughout Hayward, and now two of them have been stolen. The latest happened Wednesday night just before 8:00 at a Walgreens. Surveillance images from the store show a white man in a blue-hooded sweatshirt walking into the Walgreens and taking the kettle. Salvation Army officials say he pulled up to Walgreens, parked in a handicap spot and put the entire kettle in the trunk. "The Grinch struck again and stole the whole kettle and the stand right from the Walgreens,” said director of the Sawyer County Salvation Army, Debbie Huebner. “He literally went in took the kettle, the stand, the picture, the whole thing and walked right out the door." Officials say the kettle was emptied an hour before it was taken, so there likely wasn't much money in it.  But the other kettle stolen from Walmart had nearly $400 in it."So sad,” said Salvation Army bell ringer Amy Beilke. “Must really be in need if you're stealing the money from the needy." In the 25 years of the Sawyer County Salvation Army, they say they’ve never had a kettle stolen. Hayward police are investigating the crimes, but aren't sure if the two are related. If you have any information, contact Hayward police at (715) 934-8962.