Port Alberni, BC - A Christmas Grinch attempted to steal a Salvation Army kettle on Wednesday afternoon. He was unsuccessful, thanks to an anonymous Good Samaritan. The money and kettle have been recovered but the thief did escape.

A female volunteer was woking the kettle just outside the Liquor Store at mid-day when she noticed a man poking his head around the corner, "looking to see if the coast was clear."

He grabbed hold of the kettle and the stand and ran. The thief managed to detach the plastic ball filled with money. A customer inside the Liquor Store saw the whole chain of events and took off after the suspect. The good Samaritan soon returned with the kettle and the money.

This is the first kettle theft in years.