Update: Nanaimo RCMP say the man accused of stealing poppy donation money from two stores has been arrested after they received numerous tips from the public. Mounties are recommending two counts of theft under $5,000, and the suspect will make his first court appearance on Nov. 17.
Original story: Mounties in Nanaimo are searching for a man suspected of thieving money from two Remembrance Day poppy donation boxes.
The first theft took place at a 7-11 convenience store on Bowen Road Tuesday morning. According to police, it wasn’t noticed until a Veteran Affairs representative came to replace the donation box.
Another theft took place at the Beaufort Centre Pharmasave at around 3 p.m. the same day. The suspected thief snipped a thin wire to remove the box and take the donations.
Police believe the man filmed by a surveillance camera at the 7-11 is the same one responsible for the Pharmasave theft.
Nanaimo RCMP say thefts like this are common around Remembrance Day, and are encouraging businesses to secure donation jars to counters with screws, a chain or a cord that won’t be easily cut.
Anyone with information or who knows the man seen in surveillance images is asked to call police at 250-754-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
