Donations for toddler’s funeral stolen from Enderby gas station
VERNON – Police are hoping the public can help them find someone who stole donations for a three-year-old’s funeral.
RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says police received a report about the unfortunate incident on Saturday, Jan. 3 at the Esso in Enderby.
“The suspect stole the donation box that was to assist the family… with funeral expenses for three-year-old Ava Cairns,” Molendyk says.
A photo was obtained from the gas station’s surveillance system. Police are asking anyone who recognizes the individual, or has information about the theft, to contact them.
You can call the Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
— This story was corrected at 3:22 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 to say the theft didn't occure on Jan. 3 but was reported on Jan. 3.
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51 responses
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I am so very sorry for your loss.I just lost my son November 6th and it’s hard as hell.I hope they find the person responsible for taking the money for the funeral.Good luck!
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Kill someone for stealing.. What ..you accept this kind of behaviour from banks, politicians etc.. And they are stealing from little kids…
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Has there been any progress with catching this person? To the family, I am so sorry this has caused you additional pain to what must be an unimaginable loss. Whether this guy is an addict or not he is still responsible for his actions.
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This is so sad. I often find that news like this brings out the whack jobs defending people like him too. It certainly would be another story if it was their child that died and they had no money for a decent burial.Then they’d jump on the band wagon quicker than you can snap your fingers.It certainly would be nice if this man returned the jar.There are some stories where people have done so after breaking and entering.
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unforgivable. but still, until you’ve felt what a physical addiction is like you have no right to talk. incredibly shitty tho, condolences to the family.
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Punishment by humiliation! When this man is caught, adding to his punishment, have it enforced through Community Hour, that he MUST parade within the main street of THAT community, with a Picket sign that reads ” I STOLE DONATION MONIES FOR A CHILDS FUNERAL “.Knew a kid that stole from Walmart, and that was part of his punishment. and, It DID humiliate him VERY much, because people he knew, saw him at his worst!
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Whoever the person is they are nothing but a useless waste of skin somebody that probably does not contribute to society in any productive manner, and someone that should be locked up for such a heinous crime. They should also have to find the wayto make a very large contribution with a public apology on behalf of the family nothing like embarrassment for such ignorance
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So are you saying he can’t read? It’s really obvious what the can is for. He knew and just didn’t care.
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Thats unforgivable he should be thrown in jail and visited by the childs parent to tell them why he needed the money more than they did. I really hope he goes to jail.
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It takes all kinds to make the world , and I am the kind that would like to kick that kinds arse with steel toe boots.
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Dennis Zaharait sucks. yes I agree. There was an oppertunity.. he acted. It sucks. I don’t think it was malicious. He more than likely wasnt a member of the community, was just passing through… cash boxes at registars exists as easy scores all over the place. He saw.. he hit.. he ran… I am merely suggesting we don’t take it so personally. It could just have easily been a donation jar for fireworks.. or SPCA… and I wonder if we would treat it the same.
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Charis LoewenI am not sure the world is going to shit because of people like me who want to shed rational perspective on the situation. I am only defending him from statements from people who think that this action deserves punishment by death. Come on. Its a theft. Unfortunate one indeed… but a theft. At what point do we not care for the ones with mental illness and addiction? Talk about a break-down in society! Penal System has proven time and time again to increase crime.. where as compassionate rehabilitation shows major long-term improvement in may aspects of life. Again.. sending the families and friends sooo much grace and peace. May you not allow the actions of this lost individual to hinder the honoring and grieving of the child.
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Ya, let’s not take it personally Yarrow. We should always give the benefit of doubt to a low life theif. He must have just grabbedthe cash box because he didn’t bother to read or care about what the money was for. Lets just hope next time that he didn’t break into your house and steal your childs christmas presents. Of course you could always say that he didn’t know what was inside the presents like he didn’t know what was inside the cash box or who it was for. Poor unfortunate theif who must have had a good reason for stealing.
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you would think hey haha :] poor family blessing to u and your little one who’s resting with the angels!:[.
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Norma Stair in no way did I want to avoid that this was a theft. I wanted to point out that was ALL it was. In reviewing some of these comments and reading the hatred.. they are making him out to be like a child killer. I just wanted to offer some perspective.
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They should put him out front on the street handcuffed to something with a sign: I stole donations for a three-year old’ funerals.
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Excuse me theft is flipping theft! it is not his.Give your flipping head a hard shake.
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lets not take it personally… this person (more than likely) wasnt aware of what the contents of the donation jar were for. It was merely a grab for some cash. By sensationalizing it as if he had a grand plot at maliciously kyboshing a funeral fund for a toddler suggestes it wasnt just a tunnel-visioned-potentail addict looking for an easy score. Sending peace and grace to the families of the deceased.
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I see lots of people asking age? Who gives a crap about his age. He is apiece of crap and with that jacket someone has to know who it is and hopefully they area better person than him and come forward and speak. Jail is too easy for him, make him come face to face with the grieving family and let them deal with him. He is obviously a very sick person that should not be wandering free.
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even if little can be done under the law I hope this prick is shamed and shunned 10 ways to Sunday..
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Jesus what an as&#$le! I hope someone catches him and teaches the punk a hard lesson in respect….
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well everyone should care about your “ducking” typo Lmao but yes I do agree that mens like him should be put into a slammer and get butt raped y Bubba xD motherducker Quack quack .
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