Poppy box stolen from A&W restaurant days before Remembrance Day
Police are investigating after someone snatched a poppy box from an A&W restaurant in New Westminster, B.C., just days before Remembrance Day.
Authorities said the donation box was stolen from the A&W on Boyd Street, in Queensborough Landing, at around 9 p.m. Monday.
Related: How to watch Vancouver's Remembrance Day 2021 ceremony live
"It's disgraceful and disheartening that someone would steal donations that support our veterans," Sgt. Sanjay Kumar said in a news release. "If anyone saw who took the donation box, we ask you to reach out to us."
Unfortunately, while the fast food restaurant has a surveillance camera, it was not pointed in the direction of the poppy box, Kumar told CTV News.
Witnesses were also unable to provide a clear suspect description, though they told police they believe the culprit was wearing a hooded sweatshirt.
Authorities said they believe there may be other customers who were in the A&W and haven't yet spoken with investigators, and asked them to come forward.
Thefts of donation boxes are reported every year around Remembrance Day, but this year appears to be a particularly difficult one for poppy drives. Brenda Knowles, poppy chair at the Whalley Legion Branch 229, told CTV News this week that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a number of challenges for the annual fundraiser.
Anyone with information on Monday's theft in A&W can contact the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411.
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