A second Salvation Army volunteer has reported having her purse stolen in the line of duty in as many days.

And had it not been for some timely intervention by the U.S. Marines, that number would likely be even higher.

According to Capt. Todd Brewer, commanding officer of the Selma office of the Salvation Army, the latest incident took place around noon Thursday near the Selma-Dallas County Public Library.

The woman was not injured in the incident. The purse, minus about $12 in cash, was later found and turned in to police. No Angel Tree presents were taken in the incident.

Tuesday evening another incident occurred outside the J.C. Penney store at the Selma Mall. A 17-year-old volunteer was injured slightly when a group of juveniles grabbed her purse shortly after she finished her shift around 8 p.m.

A third incident took place Wednesday about 6 p.m. at the main entrance to the Mall, when a group of juveniles there began harassing the Salvation Army volunteer on duty, according to Brewer.

The volunteer was not injured in the incident and nothing was taken, Brewer said, adding, &uot;I would have loved to see those guys try and take that kettle with the Marines standing right there. I guess you could say it was a case of the United States Marines to the rescue.&uot;

Brewer said he doesn’t feel as though

the volunteers are being singled out as potential victims.

Brewer said the mall now has at least two armed guards patrolling the area. He said he has also noticed an increased number of patrol cars from the Selma Police Department cruising the area.

Still, he is taking no chances. Salvation Army volunteers are taking some added precautions of their own.