A man who stole a donation kettle from the Salvation Army has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced.

Matthew Hanson, 28, of Austin was convicted of misdemeanor theft of $500 or less in value and has been sentenced to one year of probation on Friday in Mower County court. If he violates the terms and conditions of his probation, he will serve 90 days in jail. He is also required to pay restitution of $240.

Austin Police Officers responded to the theft report at about 3:42 p.m. last Tuesday at the Salvation Army. Security footage showed Hanson and a woman come up to the check out counter and steal the kettle when the clerk turns to help another customer. Hanson is shown taking the kettle and walking out of the store.

Police officers recognized the man as Hanson and gained knowledge of his whereabouts.

They eventually found him on the 1000 block of Sixth Avenue Northeast early Thursday.

He admitted to taking the money and “charity can” as he called it and that the theft was spontaneous. The money had already been spent, he said.

In a separate case, Hanson pleaded not guilty on Jan. 19 to felony fifth-degree drug possession charges of marijuana, to which he pleaded guilty.