St. John's poppy can thief 'spitting in the face of all veterans': Legion

The theft of a poppy can from a gas station in St. John's Monday night has angered a local Royal Canadian Legion.

"It's unfortunate the low-life degenerates here in the city think that it's a joke to steal from the Legion," said Doug McCarthy, president of Branch 56 in Pleasantville.

"These people are basically spitting in the face of all veterans."

Clerk intervenes

McCarthy said a man entered the Irving on Elizabeth Avenue Monday evening and grabbed the poppy can from the counter, then fled to a waiting vehicle.

He said the clerk on duty immediately gave chase.

"He left the store and went out and tried to retrieve the poppy can from the vehicle and he was subsequently dragged across the parking lot," he said.

The clerk wasn't able to retrieve the can. He has since returned to work.

"He's to be commended on his actions," said McCarthy. "However, we don't want to see anybody put themselves in harm's way or jeopardize their own safety for the retrieval of our cans. We will let the RNC look after that."

Much needed funds

McCarthy said the fact that the poppy campaign had only been underway a few days added to the sting.

"This is our only time of the year to generate these funds," he said. "It's unfortunate that this happens every year."

There are between 3,000 to 5,000 poppy cans in St. John's and its neighbouring communities. The money raised is used across the province for a number of causes, including health care for veterans and their families.

"We're very disheartened and saddened by the fact that people would stoop so low as to steal from a veteran," said McCarthy.

"I am sure the RNC will do their utmost to apprehend this individual and then we will let the courts decide. If it were up to me, he'd be that far in that they'd have to pipe sunshine into him."

There's a new donation can at the service station today.

It's chained to the front counter.