Police hunt poppy money thief

Edmonton police are searching for a man they believe has stolen poppy donation containers from four locations in the city's north end.

"The poppy poacher waits for the clerk to turn their back. Then he nabs the container and he exits very calmly. He doesn't run out of the store," police spokesman Chad Orydzuk said.

Orydzuk said it's possible the suspect stole as much as $400. He may also be linked to three similar thefts in the south end of the city.

"Someone is taking advantage, looking for an opportunity to take advantage of people and is stealing funds that should be going toward veterans' efforts," he said.

Wayne Clayton was a captain in the Second World War.

"It ticks us off," he told CBC News. "For example, some veteran that can't afford a scooter or a wheelchair, it's used for that. When somebody steals that money it's one scooter we can't give to one of our veterans."

Police have released surveillance images of a suspect who is believed to be around 25. He's described as male, six feet tall, with short blond hair.