Delaware Co. man accused of stealing charity jar for military member

GLENOLDEN, Pa. (WPVI) -- A man is behind bars in Delaware County, accused of stealing from local military members and their families.

The alleged USO charity jar thief was captured just hours after Glenolden police released a crystal-clear photo of the suspect Wednesday morning.

The suspect, 48-year-old David Melanchuck from Clifton Heights, has been formally charged with theft.

Melanchuck is accused of stealing a donation box from inside a Wawa in Glenolden. The money inside that box, totaling approximate $50, was earmarked for the USO.

Glenolden Police Chief Jay Kelly says finding the suspect didn't take long because of the string of surveillance cameras capturing clear images of the thief slowly making his way toward the USO container last Tuesday.

Chief Kelly explains, "The actor stayed in the store for quite some time and spent time on his cell phone, and just picked the box up and literally just walked out the store with it."

The container was later found a few blocks away on MacDade Boulevard, empty and shattered in pieces.

Once surveillance photos were posted on local and social media, authorities say they quickly received several calls leading them to the suspect. And on Wednesday they moved in to make the arrest.

We spoke with some folks who live in Glenolden who say it's a sad story that's really a sign of the times.

Justyn Chase of Glenolden says, "It's for charity, why would you take it? It's for people who actually need it. And then you come in and you just take it out of spite. It's ridiculous."

And George Robertshaw of Glenolden tells us, "I guess people are just that desparate or the morality is probably lower for one reason or another. I think it's a shame."

After being processed, Melanchuck was released at his own recognizance.