Poppy can theft arrest made

Charlottetown Police have arrested a 31-year-old city woman in connection with the theft of 15 poppy cans.

Police said the thefts occurred at a number of businesses last week.

The woman is accused of posing as a representative of the Royal Canadian Legion in order to get the poppy cans.

“We have never seen that many thefts of poppy cans in general in any year,” said deputy police chief Richard Collins.

“[Her plan] was to go into the business, posing as a representative for the legion, indicating the poppy cans had to be turned over because they could no longer be purchased after a certain time and date.”

She has been charged with 15 counts of theft under $5,000. She is scheduled to appear in provincial court Dec. 18.

Legions across the country have reported that 2014 sales of poppies were very strong.