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Nearly $4K stolen from Salvation Army safe

BELLAIRE — Bellaire Police Chief Mike Kovalyk is investigating the theft of nearly $4,000 from a safe inside the Bellaire Salvation Army.

Meanwhile, an unrelated investigation regarding a vehicle and a boy colliding on Sunday also continues.

Regarding the theft, Kovalyk said the safe was pried open by someone using several tools that were taken from inside the building as well. He noted there were no cameras in that area of the basement, but he has talked to two possible suspects. The theft was reported to police Monday morning.

A portion of the money taken belonged to the residents living there. Another portion was money raised from a yard sale, and the final amount was set aside to take children on a trip to Cedar Point.

Kovalyk said it is strange no one staying at the facility heard the activity during the apparent theft, as the person had to break through three doors to get to the safe. A torch was used to heat up hinges and break them to remove the doors.

Also peculiar, he noted, was that $1,000 was left behind in the safe, part of some residents’ money.

The people who are staying at the shelter are required to leave at least half of their money in the safe, Kovalyk said of the organization’s rules.

“I’m hoping if anyone has any information to call the police department at 740-676-3322; do not call the sheriff’s department,” he said.

“We’re depending on the good people of this town (to help us solve the case). The Salvation Army helps the needy and people who don’t have shelter. They clothe them and they have kids (staying) there.”

Kovalyk said the Salvation Army previously hosted a DUI deferral program there, but it currently does not.

He noted sometimes people who are doing community service via the court system will stay there.

Meanwhile, initial reports regarding the vehicle vs. child case led police to believe the car struck a child near the Belmont Savings Bank about 10:06 p.m. Sunday in Bellaire. However, after interviewing the occupants of the car, Kovalyk said it may have been the opposite. The child, who was riding a bike, may have struck the door of the vehicle.

Also, officers and medics at the scene said there were no visible signs of injury on the child. However, the child was taken to the hospital to be checked out as a precaution.

“He stayed on the bike, according to them. … I’ve tried to check on the condition of the boy, but I’ve been unable to get ahold of anyone. I don’t believe he was seriously injured at all,” Kovalyk said.

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