A three-week investigation into a poppy donation-box theft at a Coquitlam library has resulted in charges against a Port Coquitlam man.
A warrant has been issued for 51-year-old Victor Hansen on one count of theft under $5000. Hansen is well-known to police for similar offences.
Coquitlam RCMP gets a lot of calls when charitable donations are stolen and this charge shows how seriously we take these files, says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with Coquitlam RCMP. With the holiday fundraising season in full swing, keep your wits about you when you’re raising money. Make sure that 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 investigating to us.
The alleged poppy donation-box theft happened on November 7, 2018, just after 6:30 p.m. at the library in the 1100 block of Pinetree Way, Coquitlam. Hansen is accused of distracting an employee at the library, using a sharp tool to cut a plastic strap on the donation box, and then hiding the box in a bag and walking away.
A warrant has been issued for Hansen so no court date has yet been set.
