Poppy box thief unmoved by clerk's Remembrance Day plea: 'This is for our soldiers'
CBC News | Posted: November 11, 2015 6:09 PM | Last Updated: November 12, 2015
Calgary gas station attendant pleads with woman as donation box thefts climb to 24
A gas station attendant begged a robber not to steal poppy donations on Remembrance Day — but it was in vain as the number of thefts of collection boxes in Calgary climbs to 24.
Police say two more boxes were stolen on Nov. 11.
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The latest incidents occurred at two gas stations in the 4800 block of Centre Street North.
Shell employee Anjum Anis says a woman came into the gas station around 9:15 a.m. asking for directions to the downtown Calgary.
When Anis turned around, the woman swapped out a box full of donations for an empty box.
"I told her, 'This is for our soldiers, don't do that. I won't call the police, this is between you and me. Just please give my box back,'" she said.
The suspect is described as a very thin white woman in her 30s, wearing a brown coat.
Acting Sgt. David Fakas says police have surveillance footage of the thefts.
"We're just trying to use all of our intelligence to try to identify these people so we can arrest them. This is pretty low for someone to do," he said.
A group that supports the poppy fund and veterans food banks is outraged at the theft.
"It's disgusting that it's happening," said Dave Howard of the Canadian Legacy Project.
"It's like stealing food off of their plates, stealing from those who gave their freedom," he said.
Surveillance video released
A male and female were caught on surveillance footage in a separate incident from a Shell gas station on 16th Avenue N.W. Monday.
Police are investigating, and describe the poppy thefts as a crime of opportunity and desperation.