Christmas Kettle Stolen–Suspect Arrested Last Month for Breaking into Cars

Photo from KIEM’s November 20th post on Facebook (click here for their Story on Clausen’s earlier arrest)

Fortuna Police Press Release:

On December 12, 2012 at about 5:00 p.m. the Fortuna Police Department received a report of a theft that had just occurred in the area of Safeway (701 S. Fortuna Blvd – Fortuna, CA).

Reporting parties reported that a male subject had approached the Salvation Army Bell Ringer and stole the donation kettle being used to collect holiday donations. The bell ringer pursued the subject on foot and recovered the kettle. The subject then fled on foot to the rear of Safeway.

With the assistance of several witnesses, officers were able to locate the suspect, Kevin Clausen (age 23 -of Fortuna) in the area of Barry Avenue. Officers were able to identify Clausen as the suspect and he was placed under arrest.

Clausen is currently on probation and had been arrested by Fortuna PD on November 19, 2012 for burglary to several vehicles. Clausen was out on court ordered own recognizance release for the prior burglary charges.

Clausen was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for Robbery, Probation Violation