It's hard enough for the U.S. Marine Corps and thousands of helpers to produce enough toys to make Christmas bright for the less fortunate children of the world. So it's downright evil to steal money intended for the cause by helping yourself to a service station's Toys for Tots cash donation box. Nevertheless, that's exactly what happened late Sunday night at the Shell Mart gasoline station at 102 N. Front Street in Dowagiac.
Steven Grinnewald is Director of Public Safety for the community of Dowagiac, and he is reaching out the public at large to help identify the man in photos shown below who decided to take the Toys for Tots donation jar with him as he left the building.
Grinnewald is asking for your help in fingering the Grinch pictured in two screen shots from the service station's security surveillance system. The third screen shot shows the white vehicle used by the thief to make his escape from the station on Sunday, December 11th.
Police released the images of a subject in a dark color coat with light patches under the arms whom police wish to identify in connection with the case. The vehicle image was also released and, along with the subject images, will be listed on the Department's Facebook page. If anyone recognizes the subject in the images or has information about the incident they are asked to contact the Dowagiac police at 269-782-9743 or, the tip line at 1-800-462-9328, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.ccso.info.
