Clearwater police say the man stole both the box and the money that was in it.

CLEARWATER – Police here have charged a homeless man with stealing a donation box from a church.

Charged with burglary and petty theft was Richard D. Thoni, 49. Records from the Pinellas County Jail indicate he is homeless.

Clearwater police said that on March 30, Thoni stole a gold donation box that was anchored to a concrete wall in the St. Cecelia Catholic Church, 820 Jasmine Way. There was about $20 in the box, which was worth about $150. The theft was captured on the church’s security cameras. Two days later, officers were called to the area near S Missouri Avenue and Druid Road after someone saw a man matching the description of the suspect. Officers took Thoni into custody after questioning him. They said he later made incriminating statements to detectives.

For information about the Clearwater police, go to clearwaterpolice.org.

Clearwater Police | Donation Box | St. Cecelia Catholic Church | Richard Thoni | TB Reporter

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