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UPDATE: RCMP nab suspect in alleged donation jar theft

Jul 12, 2017 | 4:24 PM

NANAIMO — Nanaimo RCMP say thanks to all the tips which came in, they’ve arrested the man thought to have stolen a donation jar full of money from the Save-On-Foods in Brooks Landing. 

A 27-year-old man was arrested without incident. Police say he already had several outstanding warrants in both Nanaimo and Victoria. 

Though the suspect was found, the jar of money was not. 

 

EARLIER:

Money raised for the BC Children’s Hospital is lost after a man allegedly stole a donation jar.

RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW the man swiped the container holding roughly $200 in donations just after 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11 from the Save-On-Foods in Brooks Landing. 

Surveillance footage showed the suspect grabbed the unsupervised jar and then went to a nearby aisle, where he shoved it in a duffel bag and also changed his shirt before leaving the store. 

“It’s a real shame because this is the store’s number one charity and they’ve been raising money for the BC Children’s Hospital for years,” O’Brien said. 

He noted it’s a sad reality where stores have to keep watch over any donation containers, but it needs to be done. 

The suspect is a white man, between 30 and 35-years-old with short hair. On the footage from the store, he was seen wearing an orange t-shirt with knee length black shorts. 

If anyone has any information on the suspect or the crime, they’re urged to call Nanaimo RCMP or Crime Stoppers. 

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 10:13 to reflect new information in the case. 

 

island-news@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nanaimonewsnow