Christmas Charity Thief Arrested, Police Say

Niles police have arrested James Pedro, 55, of North Leamington Avenue, Chicago, in a theft of charity money just before Christmas.

Police had earlier asked the public to identify the man, and they released a surveillance video of him at the Golf Mill Shopping Center store counter where a charity donation jar was swiped on Nov. 19.   

According to police, Pedro, a regular customer of the store, was identified as the one who placed the charity jar, containing about $200,  under his jacket and left. Police said they contacted him and he surrendered. 

Pedro was charged with one count of theft, a Class A misdemeanor. His court date is January 24 at the Cook County courthouse in Skokie.