Poppy box thefts prompt 5 charges against Mission woman

A Mission woman has been charged with five counts of theft, after multiple Royal Canadian Legion poppy boxes were stolen in the Fraser Valley east of Vancouver last November.

A warrant is now out for the arrest of Lisa Marie Goddard, 30, who is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from Remembrance Day donation boxes on November 10.

'The symbolism of the poppy makes the thefts that much more heinous'- Const. Ian MacDonald

Abbotsford police say the charges were approved based on video surveillance of the distraction thefts, which took place in four locations onMcCallumRoad and a farm market onClayburnRoad.

Const. Ian MacDonald said there were also reports of more poppy box thefts from the surrounding areas.

"It's disappointing, but police in the Lower Mainland have taken reports of donation box theftsfrom various charities," he said.

"Unfortunately,people desperate orlacking a moral compasssee cash on the counter and they feel inclined giventhe opportunityto steal it."

'Complete disbelief'

MacDonald believes most people recognize the purpose and the meaning behindthedonation boxes, which is what makes the crimes even more heinous.

"The response was immediate from the legion and the public,in terms of complete disbelief that someone would engage inthis type of behaviour," said MacDonald.

MacDonald emphasized that the police embarked on a comprehensive and detailed investigation of all thefts reported and trawled through many hours of surveillance video to secure the charges.

"It's pretty damning evidence when your image is on the videoand you are walking out of the convenience store with the box under your arm.

"That coupled with cooperation fromcitizens and employees in those locations,who helped us with identificationthrough photo lineups andmany hours of support from the legion."

No money has been recovered from the thefts, butGoddard is known to police and MacDonald says he is confident she will be located quickly.