A man suspected of stealing money donated to help a woman battling cancer turned himself in to police in south suburban Crestwood Thursday.
Prosecutors have filed one count of felony theft against Joseph Campione, 45, of Palos Hills, who showed up at the Crestwood Police Department just before 8 a.m. Thursday. He is accused of stealing a jar filled with cash donations for cancer patient Kelly Stawicki that was sitting on the counter of a Crestwood convenience store.
Campione appeared in court Thursday afternoon where his bond was set at $100,000. Police say Campionehas been convicted three times before on theft charges.
"He appeared to be remorseful. He realized his mistake, but he wasn't going to make any statement," said Dave Weigand, Crestwood Police Department.
The theft was captured on surveillance video, drawing national attention to the plight of 27-year-old cancer patient Kelly Stawicki. A WGN viewer even sent an anonymous check for $10,000 to help compensate the cancer patient for the stolen money.
Stawicki, who has stage three colon cancer, joined her aunt and stepfather at Thursday’s police news conference. Her family says they put the collection jar out to raise money for her medical bills. She has no health insurance and says the bills for her treatment will top $140,000.
But thanks to the publicity generated by the case, the Stawicki family has received an outpouring of support. Even the Crestwood Police and Fire Associations, along with A&R Security, each chipped in checks for $100.
"The support from everybody, including people I don't know, it's overwhelming," Stawick said.
Family members say they are humbled by the generosity they've experienced.
"Our Christmas right now is fantastic because of everyone in this room, and we want to thank you very much,†said Stawicki’s stepfather Nick Becker.
Officials say there could not have been more than $100 in the tip jar.
Prosecutors have filed one count of felony theft against Joseph Campione, 45, of Palos Hills, who showed up at the Crestwood Police Department just before 8 a.m. Thursday. He is accused of stealing a jar filled with cash donations for cancer patient Kelly Stawicki that was sitting on the counter of a Crestwood convenience store.
Campione appeared in court Thursday afternoon where his bond was set at $100,000. Police say Campionehas been convicted three times before on theft charges.
"He appeared to be remorseful. He realized his mistake, but he wasn't going to make any statement," said Dave Weigand, Crestwood Police Department.
The theft was captured on surveillance video, drawing national attention to the plight of 27-year-old cancer patient Kelly Stawicki. A WGN viewer even sent an anonymous check for $10,000 to help compensate the cancer patient for the stolen money.
Stawicki, who has stage three colon cancer, joined her aunt and stepfather at Thursday’s police news conference. Her family says they put the collection jar out to raise money for her medical bills. She has no health insurance and says the bills for her treatment will top $140,000.
But thanks to the publicity generated by the case, the Stawicki family has received an outpouring of support. Even the Crestwood Police and Fire Associations, along with A&R Security, each chipped in checks for $100.
"The support from everybody, including people I don't know, it's overwhelming," Stawick said.
Family members say they are humbled by the generosity they've experienced.
"Our Christmas right now is fantastic because of everyone in this room, and we want to thank you very much,†said Stawicki’s stepfather Nick Becker.
Officials say there could not have been more than $100 in the tip jar.
