Two Cambridge males, ages 25 and 45, have been arrested in connection with the thefts of three Poppy Fund donation boxes.
Waterloo Regional Police say the suspects were arrested after attempting to steal merchandise from a Zehrs grocery store on Sunday, Nov. 7.
On the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 6, the two men allegedly stole boxes from a convenience store and nearby hair salon on Highland Road West in Kitchener.
Police say one man would reportedly distract the employee while the other stole the Poppy Fund donation box.
A third box was stolen early Sunday morning from a Shoppers Drug Mart on Weber Street North in Waterloo.
Stan Guthrie is a veteran who served in the 1950s and is now president of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 530, he says "They're taking from the needy and I think it's deplorable."
Donna Munro is a regular customer at the convenience store where the first robbery took place, and she agrees with Guthrie, "It just really makes you mad…that someone would take from the veterans."
The men have been held for a bail hearing on three counts of theft under and possession under $5,000.
And Guthrie says he has an idea that would teach the men a lesson about taking from those who have given so much.
"One of the good punishments for them would be to go to Sunnybrook, to go to London to the Veterans' Hospitals there and look at these poor veterans that have been there since they got back from the wars."
Police are asking anyone with information to call Division 3 at 519-653-7700 Ext. 3399 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
