Athol Man Jailed Over Theft Of $12

An Athol man has been sentenced to a year in jail for stealing $12. The prosecutor said that may seem harsh, but it wasn't the theft was so shocking, but where it happened, and who witnessed it.

Authorities say 37-year-old John Hayes took the money last September from a Jimmy Fund can in the lobby of the police station, in front of his 13-year-old son.

He was sentenced this week after he was found guilty of larceny by a judge.

Police say Hayes was caught on video surveillance taking the can from the counter, walking into the men's room, and walking out seconds later without the can.

Hayes' lawyer said his client is remorseful.

The Jimmy Fund raises money for cancer research for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.