Salvation Army bell-ringer charged with theft

A Salvation Army bell-ringer is facing theft and identify theft charges after authorities said he pilfered more than $1,000 from his collection bucket in Naperville.

Joe Horton, 52, of Chicago, was charged with stealing $1,030 from the bucket, authorities said Thursday. In addition, Horton was charged with attempting to use a credit card from a wallet he found outside the grocery store where he was collecting donations.

His bond was set Thursday at $40,000. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 30.

Authorities said a patron at the Dominick’s grocery store in Naperville notified employees on Saturday that she had lost her wallet. The following day, she reported the wallet and credit cards stolen.

On Monday, the woman was notified someone tried to use her credit card in Chicago. An investigation led authorities to Horton.

“The very idea that someone would steal donations meant for the less fortunate is sickening,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said in a written statement, “particularly given the fact that we are in the heart of the holiday season.”