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2 Wis. Men Fined For Taking Red Kettle

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Two men accused of stealing a Salvation Army red kettle from outside a Milwaukee Walmart this week have each been fined $363.

The kettle was stolen Monday while the bell ringer took a break. Authorities said it had between $400 and $450 inside.

Surveillance video captured the thieves but police couldn't identify them. Then police backed up the video and watched the men pull a car close to the front doors earlier to help their aunt return a mattress. The aunt didn't have a receipt so the store took her personal information.

Police used that information to contact her, and she led them to the thieves. Authorities told WTMJ-TV she didn't know the two had taken the kettle.

News coverage of the theft prompted an anonymous donor to give $500.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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