Money would have been used to help local veterans

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The Royal Canadian Legion is dealing with the loss of thousands of dollars after 17 poppy collection boxes were allegedly stolen from stores in West Hill.

Wayne Powell, with Branch 258 in Highland Creek, said the thefts were discovered last week when members began visiting local businesses to collect the boxes.

"Our poppy fund is out a fair whack of money because of this," he said.

The donations are used to fund a variety of veterans' initiatives and programs.

Police arrested a man after releasing security camera images to the media Monday.

"I believe there may be a second person involved, but I've identified one so far," Det. Shawn Mahoney of 43 Division said prior to the arrest.

Powell said he was disgusted that money that was given out of respect for Canada's veterans and war dead would be taken.

The stolen boxes were placed in businesses along Kingston Road between Morningside Avenue and Collinsgrove Road to the east. Each box would have contained between $100 and $125, Powell said.

Police believe the thefts occurred between Oct. 31 and Remembrance Day.

Powell said he first had an inkling there might be a problem when an apartment building superintendent handed over to police a poppy box that he had found in the building's trash.

Regan Collings, 29, of no fixed address, has been charged with seven counts of theft and one count of breaching probation.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-4304 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).