ESCONDIDO, Calif., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A man who allegedly stole a "tip jar" from Escondido, Calif., Girl Scouts as they sold cookies was scheduled to be arraigned Friday, authorities said.
David Betancourt, 21, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of stealing as jar containing about $40 in cash from Girl Scouts selling cookies outside a supermarket. The Scouts said the suspect grabbed the jar and ran, laughing, before driving away, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.
The tips, on sales of the cookies, were to be used to send cookies to overseas military personnel in a program known as operation Thin Mint.
Betancourt was arrested as police surrounded his home. He broke a window to escape but was subdued by police, KFMB-TV, San Diego, reported.
Interviewed on television, an unidentified Girl Scout involved in the incident said, "No more stealing our cookie money." Another added, "Don't mess with Girl Scouts and don't mess with soldiers."
