Update: An arrest has been made in connection with the theft of several North Vancouver poppy donation boxes. Police released surveillance video of the suspect and said tips from the public helped them make an arrest Saturday night. Charges are pending against a 28-year-old North Vancouver man who will appear in court in December.
It happens every year like clockwork: As millions of Canadians fill poppy donation boxes, a few heartless thieves try to capitalize on their generosity.
In North Vancouver, Mounties are investigating two poppy box thefts committed Tuesday night, and are asking the public to help identify a suspect who was caught on surveillance camera.
The first box was stolen from a drug store on Lonsdale Avenue around 9 p.m. About 20 minutes later, a man entered a nearby gas station, used coins to pay for gas and goods, and snatched a second poppy box off the counter.
Cpl. Richard De Jong said similar crimes are committed every year, and they never stop disappointing law enforcement.
“We may never know why people are compelled to steal from those who serve our country,” De Jong said. “You never like it, you never accept it as the norm, and you’d like it to never happen again.”
This year’s thefts, which have been reported in cities across Canada, come as some Royal Canadian Legion branches are reporting their biggest donation hauls in recent memory.
The Legion said roughly 19 million poppies have already been distributed across Canada, which is 1 million more than the total distributed last year. Strong turnouts are also expected for Remembrance Day, with many Canadians still reflecting on last month’s attacks on two soldiers on home soil.
De Jong said most poppy box thefts are solved, particularly when clear surveillance images are available.
Anyone with information on the North Vancouver suspect’s identity is asked to call the RCMP at 604-985-1311. Those who wish to remain anonymous can instead call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
With files from CTVNews.ca
