Convicted sex offender tried to steal Salvation Army bucket at Gary Walgreens
by Lori Caldwell lcaldwell@post-trib.com|648-3258 December 7, 2012 4:14PM
Tolin Brown. | Provided Photo~Sun-Times Media ptmet
Updated: January 9, 2013 6:08AM
GARY — As Patrolman Tommie Tatum arrived at the Walgreens parking lot, he heard a security guard shouting, “I’m here, I’m here.”
The guard was struggling with a convicted sex offender who stole a Salvation Army donation bucket from in front of the store Thursday night.
Tatum arrested Tolin Brown, 46, of 453 Marshall St., who was being held pending a charge of felony theft.
The bucket and money were returned to the front of the store at 2801 W. 5th Ave. in the Ambridge neighborhood.
Witnesses told police the man grabbed the bucket and ran south from the store. The Salvation Army worker alerted the security guard, who chased Brown to a wooded area behind the business.
Brown allegedly told the guard that he had a gun and would shoot him, but no weapon was found, police spokeswoman Cpl. Gabrielle King said Friday.
The guard caught up to the man and was struggling with him when Tatum arrived. Tatum heard the guard calling and found the two men.
Brown was sentenced in 1995 Wayne County for a sex offense involving a child.
