A 32-year-old man was arrested Monday after Marion County deputies said he stole a charity jar containing money that was used to collect donations for terminally ill children.
Detectives said Leo Taylor entered the Kangaroo convenience store at 13002 N.E. Jacksonville Road, in Sparr, around 3 a.m. Nov. 5, and stole the jar.
Taylor was standing at the counter where the charity container was located. While the clerk wasn't looking, Taylor took the container, concealed it in his pants and left the store. The donations in the container were destined for Give Kids The World Village, a charity that fulfills the last wishes of terminally ill children. Give Kids The World Village is a 70-acre resort located in Central Florida where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations.
The clerk estimated $25 to $50 was in the donation jar, according to deputies.
After further investigation, detectives tracked down the owner of the car Taylor left in following the theft. The car's owner then helped detectives to identify Taylor.
After learning deputies were searching for him, Taylor surrendered to authorities at the Marion County Jail on Monday. He was charged with one count of petit theft and was released after posting $500 bond.