All of you loyal readers know that I believe that all theft is wrong and especially abhor it when charities or the elderly and disabled are stolen from. Would you agree with this statement – all theft involves some level of stupidity?

Think about that when you read about the following Salvation Army bell ringer who was arrested for stealing. As reported in www.wausaudailyherald.com.

How much did Gerald Tritten steal? How about $5? Yes, you read that right $5. How stupid is it to steal $5? How stupid is it to arrest and prosecute this 68-year-old thief? It already has cos6t taxpayers more than 100 times that amount. Imagine once court costs and legal fees are add in – for the city.

Tritten was ringing a bell to solicit donations at a mall in Wisconsin when the theft was reported. He stole $5 from the kettle and for his efforts lost his job. Yes, you read that right too – he was a paid employee of the Salvation Army which often hires bell ringers when there are not enough volunteers.

The Salvation Army of Marathon County has collected $84,544, well behind its goal of $160,000.

What do you think? Do agree that Tritten was stupid for stealing $5? How about the city prosecuting this at what cost?