Pair charged with stealing from Salvation Army bucket

Two men have been charged with stealing from a Salvation Army donation bucket, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced Friday.

The theft occurred outside the Ultra Foods in Lombard.

Kavin Gipson, 48, of the 5100 block of Ridge Avenue, Hillside, and Roosevelt Huddleston, 51, of the 300 block of Morris Avenue, Bellwood, appeared in bond court Friday morning.

Gipson has been charged with one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding and one count of misdemeanor theft. Huddleston has been charged with one count of felony Theft.

Bail was set at $20,000 for Gipson and $30,000 for Huddleston.

Prosecutors said that about 7 p.m. on Thursday, the two men approached the Salvation Army bucket while the bell ringer was inside the store.

Gipson took the bucket, while Huddleston acted as a lookout, prosecutors said.

Gipson then led police officers on a high-speed chase through a residential area before the two were apprehended, authorities said.

"It is very disheartening that in the midst of the holiday season, these two men allegedly stole money intended to brighten the holidays for those truly in need," Berlin said. "Thankfully, they did not get far and they will now have to answer to the charges filed against them."

Both men are next due in court on Dec. 30 in front of Judge John Kinsella.