MADISON, Wis. -- A woman was arrested on Thursday morning in connection with the theft of several Salvation Army kettles in the area, Madison police said.

VIDEO: Watch The Report | SLIDESHOW: See Images Of Alleged Salvation Army Kettle Thief

Acting on multiple tips from surveillance photos they circulated, police said that they took Patricia Whitfield, 39, into custody at the Rodeway Inn on East Broadway at about 8:50 a.m. on Thursday.

An employee at the hotel said she was not a registered guest and was staying with someone who was.

Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain said that Whitfield has expressed remorse for the thefts, explaining that she feels badly about what she's done and that she is homeless.

"She had told us that she was at one time a bell ringer in Chicago. She volunteered for the Salvation Army, so she understood how bell ringing works. She also had lived here at the Salvation Army in Madison sometime over this past fall," DeSpain said.

Whitfield was booked into the Dane County Jail tentatively on multiple counts of theft by fraud on Thursday.

Authorities said that the thief stole three kettles filled with donations since last Wednesday and tried to take three more but was stopped by alert bell ringers and store managers. Officials estimate the thief has already stolen about $500, which would be enough to make the crime a felony.

Ruth Ann Schoer, of the Salvation Army of Dane County, said there is no excuse for stealing the kettles.

"Whoever it was, there is no excuse to steal kettles because if you need shelter, we provide emergency shelter here. If you need food, we have a food pantry. If you need toys for your children or food for your Christmas table, we offer that as well," Schoer said.

Also on Thursday a Madison man said he was donating $500 to the Salvation Army to replace what was stolen.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.