An official with the Salvation Army in Honolulu was charged yesterday with stealing thousands of dollars in donations from the charitable organization.

Timothy Janusz, 48, of Kailua, was arrested Thursday and charged last night with first-degree theft. He was being held on $1 million cash bail.

Police did not say how much money is involved. A first-degree theft charge means the amount is at least $20,000.

Janusz is the planned giving director and worked at the Salvation Army's Manoa office.

He has been with the organization for about three years.

Daniel de Castro, Salvation Army spokesman, said last night that Salvation Army officials alerted police to the situation.

"Mr. Janusz has been put on leave," de Castro said. "We are the ones who turned over what kind of information we had discovered of financial irregularities, which could possibly be linked to him."

Janusz arranged large gifts, such as bequests and annuities, de Castro said.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.