TYLER, Texas — Editorial note: Bell ringer, Dave Crocker, told CBS19 that the driver involved in the theft had been caught. However, that is incorrect. Tyler police say as of Thursday morning, the two suspects involved have not been caught.
Helping the Salvation Army of Tyler do the most good locally is one reason why Dave Crocker rings the kettle bell year after year.
"The good thing about the Salvation Army program, the money that we collect from the kettle will stay in the East Texas area," Crocker said.
Knowing that, he says he simply cannot understand the reasoning behind what happened Tuesday evening when he volunteered at the to man the Red Kettle at the Walmart, located at 450 South Southeast Loop 323, in Tyler.
"It makes you think you did something for nothing, but that's not true," Crocker said. "I'm back here today doing it again."
At around 6:30 that night, Crocker says he had just finished his final break and returned to his station. A man walked to the kettle with a grin on his face. Crocker assumed the man was going to donate to the kettle.
"I was getting ready to grin back at him, and all of sudden, he grabbed my bell, the stand and the whole thing," Crocker remembered.
According to Crocker, the perpetrator ran to an old Ford pickup that was waiting for him and threw the kettle in the back of the truck. After that, he says another man drove the truck away.
"They went up on [State Highway] 31 and headed back down that way, and this man and his wife were following them," Crocker recalled.
Two witnesses, who Crocker knew, followed the truck and called police. Meanwhile, Crocker says he called to inform the Salvation Army about what happened.
Considering the location, and that it was "Giving Tuesday," the Salvation Army estimates that between $500 and $600 worth of donations were in the stolen kettle.
However, despite the big loss, Crocker says he will not stop ringing his bell, and he hopes that others are not discouraged in their giving.
"Just support the Salvation Army and all the things they do, and it'll come back to you."
According to Tyler PD, authorities have information about the man involved in the theft. The man was said to be dressed in all black with something covering his face.
Authorities say the truck used in the theft was found Tuesday near East Line Street and North Beckham Avenue.
As of Thursday morning, police have not yet arrested the two subjects involved, nor has the stolen kettle been recovered.