Police are searching for the person who stole a cash box from the annual tree sale organized by Chester firefighters to raise funds for the all-volunteer fire department.

The "Honor Box? was installed to allow people to pay for the trees they take if they stop by the Chester firehouse in the after hours. All the proceeds from the sales were to benefit the fire department.

Assistant Chief Dan Doellinger says the thief who ripped out the cash box ruined the holiday spirit for everyone.

?Not only did they steal money from the firehouse, but they stole money from the people who were honest enough to leave money when we weren't here,? he says.

The Chester firefighters have been selling Christmas trees for the past 16 years, and all this time they have been relying on the honor system.

The thief likely got away with several hundred dollars that were placed in the box for trees sold between Sunday night and Tuesday afternoon.