2 men allegedly stole Salvation Army collection kettle

LOWELL, Mass. -- Two men pleaded not guilty in court on Monday to stealing a Salvation Army collection kettle outside of a Kmart in Lowell on Friday.

Joseph Sperry, 23, and Kirk Proctor, 19, worked together to steal a Salvation Army collection kettle, according to Prosecutor Kate Hartigan. One suspect allegedly distracted the bell ringer while his accomplice took the kettle.

Charles Shanley saw the incident happen and he ran and grabbed Sperry.

“I told him -- I ran up to him and I caught him there and I told him, ‘If you make me run any more I will get you and I will drop you right where I stand.’ He just -- that’s when he said, ‘I had enough, that’s it…lets go,’” said Shanley.

They suspects are allegedly drug addicts who tried to feed a habit. They are known around the area and friends say they’re good guys who stooped to a new low.

“It’s horrible, you don’t take from places like that. Absolutely not. Especially during the holidays,” said Julie Hutchinson, who knows the suspects.

One suspect is being held on $1,000 cash bail, the other on $500 cash bail.

“Eighteen bucks. All that for 18 bucks. Unbelievable -- $18 -- can’t get over that,” said Shanley.

The incident was allegedly captured on camera, but at this point the tape is not being released.

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