Couple arrested for theft, steals thousands of dollars from Salvation Army
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA — A Marion couple are now in jail on theft charges after stealing thousands of dollars from their employer, the Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids.
According to the Cedar Rapids Police Department, 46-year-old Jennifer Lynn Cronan and 50-year-old Matthew Dean Cronan were arrested at 10:30 PM Wednesday.
“We do not tolerate financial misconduct or improprieties among our officers, employees or volunteers," Captain Shawn DeBaar explained. "We undergo regular audits for the purpose of maintaining financial accountability,” Captain DeBaar stated. “In addition, we have cooperated fully with the police investigation.”
Captain Shawn DeBaar told Iowa's News Now the two stole more than $26,000 in Walmart gift cards from the organization that were used for derecho recovery.
According to Cedar Rapids Police Department, Matthew is accused of using the gift cards at several different Walmart locations between November 2020 and March 2021. Jennifer is accused of being complicit in using the stolen cards. Police report that some of the purchases made were found at the couples home.
The Salvation Army said it took steps to protect their finances during the investigation.
“Everything from changing locks in the building to redoing safe codes and making certain that as the investigation was being looked into by the police department that any possibility for future issues relating to this were taken care of and mitigated," said Captain DeBaar.
An annual audit is done at the Salvation Army to closely watch finances. The result can catch activity similar to this scenario.
“We have an organizational policy that checks in gift cards, signs out gift cards every time they’re used then with a routine audits of those gift cards," said Captain DeBaar.
The organization said this theft will not interfere with current operations.
“We assure our donors that have given money that their money has not been lost. The Salvation Army is fully insured and as such, donors funds will not impact negatively those that we are serving," said Captain DeBaar.
“This situation only impacted the Cedar Rapids unit,” Captain DeBaar said. “The Salvation Army Cedar Rapids is fully insured, therefore, none of the monies entrusted to The Salvation Army were lost. This situation has not -- and will not -- impact services of The Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids. We will continue to serve those in our community who need us the most," Captain Shawn DeBaar said.
The couple are currently in the Linn County Jail.
