© CBS 5PEORIA, AZ (CBS5) -
Tips from the community led Peoria police to identify a man in connection with the theft of a donation jar for the Children's Miracle Network.
Aaron Rivkin, 21, was arrested Aug. 3, the same night as the theft, on unrelated charges. He is currently at the Fourth Avenue Jail; however, once released, he will be charged for the donation jar theft, police said.
Police said Rivkin entered a convenience store near 83rd Avenue and Deer Valley Road. He approached the cashier and asked for change. After taking the money, he told the cashier he was waiting for a ride and began to walk around the store looking at items, police said.
When the cashier walked away from the counter, police said Rivkin grabbed the donation jar and ran out of the store. Money had recently been removed from the jar and only a few new donations had been added, officers said.
The following day, Peoria police were alerted about the theft. A description and photo of the suspect was broadcast. A short time later, several people used TipSoft to provide officers information leading to the identity of the suspect.
TipSoft is a program used by the Peoria Police Department that allows the community to leave tips for officers using text messages, voicemail, email and a web-based online report.
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