Man charged after charity tins stolen from Lilydale RSL sub-branch

A 67-year-old man has been charged after a number of Poppy Appeal charity tins were stolen from shops in Lilydale.

Lilydale RSL sub-branch secretary Chris Newell (centre) and volunteers Janet McGregor and Bob Richardson were shattered when collection tins were stolen. Picture: Alex Coppel

A man has been charged after a number of Poppy Appeal collection tins were stolen from stores in Lilydale, just days before Remembrance Day.

The white tubs with red lids were nicked off the counters of three separate stores, and contained about $300 in donations.

Yarra Ranges CIU Senior Constable James Holmberg said a 67-year-old man, who had been staying in Lilydale at the time of the alleged thefts, had been charged with theft and was bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court next April.

The Lilydale RSL sub-branch had placed the tubs out for the annual Poppy Appeal, which raises money to support returned service personnel and their families, ahead of Remembrance Day on November 11.

Lilydale RSL sub-branch secretary and appeals officer Chris Newell said the first tub was stolen from a store in Castella St on October 28, the second from the newsagent at Lilydale Marketplace shopping centre on November 4 and the third from the NAB bank at Lilydale Marketplace the following day.

Mr Newell said there was about $300 in the tubs, from sales of poppies and other donations to the appeal.

“People are very generous and drop in loose change as well,” he said.