PAINESVILLE — A Salvation Army worker who was ordered by a judge to spend a night homeless for stealing a holiday kettle containing about $250 returned to court Friday with red eyes and red cheeks.
Nathen Smith, 28, who was fitted with a GPS device to track his moves, spent Thursday night ducking in and out of government buildings for warmth, including a stop at the Lake County sheriff’s office.
He also walked through a park, but did not go under a bridge where many of Painesville’s homeless sleep, probation supervisor David Washlock said.
“It’s hard to find a spot to go that’s warm, unless you’re inside,” an unshaven Smith told Municipal Judge Michael Cicconetti, who issued the sentence.
Smith worked as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army outside a Kmart store in nearby Eastlake on Dec. 17. Police arrested Smith at his mother’s house after a co-worker reported that one of eight kettles was missing. 

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered, click here.
If you are registered, click here to log in.
Need help? Email Us.