A Port Coquitlam man with a history of stealing charity donation containers has been charged in relation to the theft of a poppy box earlier this month.
Victor Hansen is facing one count of theft under $5,000 and a warrant has been issued for the 51-year-old's arrest.
"Coquitlam RCMP gets a lot of calls when charitable donations are stolen and this charge shows how seriously we take these files," said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin in a press release.
The incident occurred on Nov. 7 at around 6:30 p.m. at the Coquitlam Public Library's City Centre branch. Police allege that Hansen distracted library employees before using a sharp instrument to cut the straps holding down the box and putting it into a bag.
Laurie Chapman, the Coquitlam Legion's #263 poppy fund chair, said at the time that anywhere from $100 to $200 could have been in the container when it was taken.
"The money is for the veterans that fought for us to have what we have today," she said. "I find it quite disgusting that someone would take that money."
The Coquitlam library incident is not the first time Hansen has been charged with taking money from a charity.
In 2017, he was arrested after a donation box was stolen from a store in the 1000-block of Nicola Avenue in Port Coquitlam, prompting police to put out a warning to businesses to secure their containers.
Mounties said at the time that Hansen was known for stealing donation boxes and "investigators suspect there are similar crimes that are going unreported."
However, police do not believe Hansen was associated with the theft of a poppy container at the Tim Hortons on Austin Avenue that occurred on Nov. 2.
"That is somebody else," McLaughlin told The Tri-City News. "That we are sure of."
In the Nov. 2 incident, which occurred at around 4 a.m., surveillance footage described to Chapman by a store manager showed multiple people were involved.
McLaughlin said it is possible given the location that the perpetrators were from out of town. The investigation is ongoing.
With Christmas season quickly approaching, he added that many charities canvassing for donations need to protect the funds they acquire.
"Keep your wits about you when you're raising money," he said. "Make sure the donation boxes and cash are properly secured from easy theft. If something does get stolen, don't let emotions get the better of you; the right thing to do is call police and leave the investigation to us."
@gmckennaTC
