Man sentenced for donation jar theft
HILO >> A Pahoa man has been sentenced to six months in jail for stealing a jar containing donations for a girl who needs a heart transplant.
Jeffrey William Kleinschmidt previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge for stealing the jar at Irie Hawaii Smoke Shop in Pahoa. Surveillance footage from the store shows a man in February stuffing the jar into his pants and walking away.
Store manager Jose Miranda says the jar had at least $200 in donations for Madisyn Tamaki, a third-grade student at Pahoa Elementary School.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Tuesday 57-year-old Kleinschmidt must also reimburse the store $201.
Deputy Prosecutor Winston Albright says he’s pleased with the 6-month sentence.