Police: Man Who Stole Children's Hospital Donation Jar Arrested

A Babylon man was arrested Sunday and charged with stealing a donation jar meant for a children's hospital from a Lindenhurst store, police said. 

Police said Thomas Campion, 49, was arrested at Panera Bread on Montauk Highway in West Babylon around 5 p.m. 

Surveillance footage from Flag Beverage, at 75 West Hoffman Avenue, showed a man stealing the jar, which contained about $200 designated for Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, on Saturday afternoon. 

Flag Beverage owner Anthony Mainini set up the donation box for the hospital that he said "saved my son's life." 

Mainini told News 12 that his son, also named Anthony, has had multiple open heart surgeries after being born with a heart condition. 

"Seven years ago, when nobody else had hope for him, this hospital helped him," Mainini told News 12 of Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, which is located in Manhattan. 

After Campion's arrest, Mainini thanked those who shared the surveillance video of the theft. 

"When someone crosses the line we will stand together as a community and not tolerate it," Mainini wrote on the Flag Beverage Facebook page. "My family and I can't thank you enough. Please pray for this man."

Campion is charged with petty larceny and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on May 2.