Eleven days into the official start of the poppy campaign, there are 13 reports of poppy box thefts.
Five of the thefts are linked to one suspect.
There are now reports of a scam related to the Veterans Food Bank.
Security video shows a man making off with a poppy box, taking advantage of a distracted clerk and more importantly those who need the money most.
“With Remembrance Day coming up, this is just a way that the public shows their appreciation to the sacrifices that the veterans have made,” said Staff Sgt. Travis Baker with the Calgary Police Service.
“For somebody to steal from those veterans who should be getting the money, it’s morally reprehensible.”
Police are looking for Dwayne Shane Soroka in connection with at least five poppy box thefts.
He is described as caucasian, 6’2″ tall, clean-shaven, bald and with a medium-to-heavy build.
Poppy boxes are not the only targets.
The Canadian Legacy Project is getting reports of someone circulating the Panorama Hills area collecting cash, claiming to be in support of the Veterans Food Drive.
“They assume they’re going to get a tax receipt, so if you start to have all these people that have made cash donations and they’re not getting tax receipts, then they complain to the government and that in turn affects our charitable status,” said Dave Howard with the Canadian Legacy Project.
“That could hurt us helping thousands of veterans.”
The Wildrose Party held a recent food drive in the area.
Party officials want to assure everyone that they are not asking for cash.
“We’re not set up to do that,” said David Yager, Wildrose Party president.
“We were just looking for non-perishable food items.”
Police are aware of the report, but are not able to say whether an investigation is underway.
But they are looking for help in locating Soroka.
Police are reminding poppy vendors to empty the boxes frequently, and keep them secure.
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