Theft of donation box laid to family’s hunger

A New Haven man told police he stole $40 from a donation box for Stop Child Abuse and Neglect because he had to buy food for his children.

The donation box was taken from a gas station in New Haven on June 9 and surveillance video showed Jesse A. Spillers II grab the donation box and put it under his shirt and then leave the store, according to a probable cause affidavit.

When police interviewed Spillers, 33, of the 10700 block of U.S. 27 South, he said he stole around $40 to buy food for his children.

He was not in police custody Wednesday evening.