Man facing charges after poppy can stolen from Halifax coffee shop

HALIFAX — A man is facing charges after he allegedly snatched a poppy donation can from a Halifax Tim Hortons outlet.

Police say a man entered the coffee shop on Barrington Street around 3:40 p.m. last Sunday, took a poppy can and left.

“The theft of poppy money is certainly disrespectful to those who have served and continue to serve,” said Halifax police spokeswoman Cindy Bayers. “It’s disappointing.”

Investigators say they identified a suspect, and a 51-year-old man was arrested at around 5:40 p.m. Wednesday without incident in the area of Cunard and Gottingen streets.

George Allen Clayton is facing charges including theft under $5,000, possession of property by crime under $5,000 and failure to comply with a probation order.

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Investigators have responded to at least two other similar thefts in the Halifax area since Nov. 1, Bayers said.

She said police typically investigate several incidents of stolen poppy donations every year.

Founded in 1967, the Royal Canadian Legion’s poppy campaign provides financial assistance and other services for veterans of the RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces, including medical care and basic amenities.

The Canadian Press

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