ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Local restaurant owners are thanking the community for their generosity in replacing the money lost when a jar of cash was stolen from Nick Tahou's on Friday.

Rochester police arrested 27-year-old Dale Johnson and charged him with petit larceny. The restaurant tweeted that while Johnson was caught, the money he took was gone.

Officers say Johnson made off with the jar from the counter at the culinary landmark on Rochester's West Main Street.

Tahou's took to social media Monday to introduce Clarence Peacock, who they say called and asked if the restaurant could use a donation after seeing the story.

Owner Alex Tahou calls his generosity amazing.

"He says ‘if you want it, I'd be glad to give it to you, it won't cost you anything.’ And I said sure, I figured he was bringing in $10 worth of quarters or something. And he comes in with this jar that you can't even hold, it was unbelievable," said Tahou.

The money is used to fund Tahou's annual children's Christmas party for area children.

Alex says the outpouring of support since the theft has helped raise more money than was originally collected.