Son of Salvation Army majors arrested in theft

PEKIN - The son of the Pekin Salvation Army majors formerly in charge of the

organization's programs has been arrested and charged with theft for

allegedly stealing money from the Salvation Army.

Patrick T. Eagle, 28, of 318 Charles St., Pekin, was charged in Tazewell

County's 10th Judicial Circuit felony court with theft over $300, a Class 3

felony.

According to court records, Salvation Army employees called the Pekin

Police Department Nov. 2 in regard to a missing bank deposit.

Police interviewed employees who had access to the safe where the deposit is

kept. All four employees denied involvement and each named Patrick Eagle as

a possible suspect.

They said Patrick's parents had purchased the safe. Employees said the

safe's combination had not changed since Patrick's parents worked at the

Salvation Army.

Rose and Tom Eagle had been in charge of the Pekin Salvation Army since

mid-2003. They were transferred earlier this year.

Employees also said Patrick had recently been seen in the building talking

to people. The amount of money in the missing deposit bag consisted of cash

and checks totaling $12,289.

According to records, Patrick admitted to taking the deposit. He said he

took $210 in cash out of the bag and disposed of all the checks and the bank

bag in a garbage can in an alley, records state. Patrick said he took the

money and gambled with it.

His bond has been set at $10,000.

This is the second time in the past two years that money has been stolen

from the Salvation Army. In the fall of 2005, employee Michelle Vaughn was

arrested for allegedly taking more than $300 in funds.

At the time, Vaughn was working as a child care employee. She had been with

the Christian organization for seven years. At the time of the arrest, Rose

Eagle issued a statement claiming that "Safeguards have been put in place to

ensure this won't happen again."

According to court records, the Tazewell County State's Attorney's office

dismissed charges against Vaughn, opting to resolve the matter through

deferred prosecution.

Capt. Catherine Mount, who currently runs the Pekin Salvation Army with her

husband, Peter, said the money was in a secure safe and was stolen from a

safe. When asked what the money was for, Mount said, "It's not pertinent."

When asked what steps she and her husband will take to ensure money won't be

stolen again, Mount said, "We are getting a new safe, certainly." The new

safe will have a combination that they can change on a regular basis. "And

our staff handles money properly. Everything was done right."

When asked if Patrick Eagle currently has any official association with the

Pekin Salvation Army, Mount said, "He's never been employed by the Salvation

Army, at least not since we've been here."