PCSO arrests two in donation jar thefts

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Peter Cardinale, 21, of Chandler, and Anthony Stuber, 21, of San Tan Valley have been arrested by Pinal County sheriff deputies on suspicion of shoplifting donation jars intended for a 7-year-old cancer patient from two separate San Tan Valley Walgreens.

Cardinale was taken into custody Thursday afternoon without incident at his grandmother’s home in Apache Junction.

On Wednesday, surveillance video from the Walgreens at 3111 W. Hunt Highway showed Cardinale walking into the store and leaving moments later after taking a donation jar left at the front register.

The donation jar was placed in the store by the sick child’s parents who used the money to cover food expenses. Her picture and purpose for the funds were clearly marked on the containers.

On Aug. 9, surveillance video from the Walgreens at 333 E. Hunt Highway showed Stuber walking into the store and leaving moments later after taking a donation jar left at the front register. He was arrested Tuesday.

The suspect in the Aug. 9 incident was seen running to a silver sedan waiting for him.

He was identified as the same person responsible for stealing beer with an accomplice Aug. 6 from the Walgreens at 3111 W. Hunt Highway.