A Salvation Army bell ringer sang "The First Noel" while shoplifting Christmas ornaments on his break, police said. Sean M. Sayers, 33, Anderson, was arrested Wednesday on a misdemeanor charge of conversion.
Sayers was being held in Madison County Jail without bond for allegedly violating terms of probation on a previous case.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by police, Sayers was on his break as a bell ringer at a Wal-Mart in the city northeast of Indianapolis when he went inside the store and slipped about $20 worth of Christmas ornaments inside his jacket and a fast food bag. Police said he was singing the Christmas carol as he shoplifted the goods about 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Sayers made an initial court appearance in Anderson City Court and is expected to stand trial on Friday, jail officials said. If convicted, he could face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.