Calgary

Thieves already stealing poppy boxes just days into campaign

Calgary police are already investigating seven poppy box thefts in our city, even though the annual fundraiser just kicked off on the weekend.

Police are already investigating 7 thefts since annual fundraiser started on weekend

Calgary poppy box thefts

8 years ago
Duration 0:48
Just days into the annual campaign, police are investigating the theft of seven poppy boxes.

Calgary police are already investigating seven poppy box thefts in our city, even though the annual fundraiser just kicked off on the weekend. 

The latest thefts happened at a southeast gas bar and a northwest McDonalds. 

Phil Lunn's father and grandfather were both veterans, and he's disgusted by what he calls a crime of opportunity. 

Phil Lunn is appalled that anyone would steal a poppy box. (Mike Symington/CBC)

"I think it's pretty low. Pretty damn low. The vets put their lives on the line. My dad was wounded in the second, my grandfather wounded in the first, and they need all the help they can get," he said. 

Last year 39 poppy boxes were stolen, nearly double the number from 2014.