Police say they have caught the person responsible for the theft of several poppy collection boxes in the Chilliwack area.

Last Wednesday it was reported that six of the poppy containers had been stolen from Vedder Road businesses over the span of just a few days.

Then, early Friday morning, around 2:30 a.m., an employee of a Vedder Road Tim Horton's spied a man and woman attempting to steal the shop's poppy box.

Police were called and the pair were arrested outside the restaurant.

Milton Gabriel, 40, was arrested on two outstanding warrants. His accomplice, a 43-year-old Chilliwack woman, was released on a promise to appear in court at a later date.

Police say Gabriel admitted to stealing several boxes around Chilliwack.

"The investigation is ongoing to find out exactly how many collection boxes have been stolen in the Chilliwack area and how many Gabriel is responsible for stealing," RCMP Cpl. Tammy Hollingsworth said. "The total dollar amount that was stolen will be difficult to determine, but thankfully Gabriel has held himself accountable for these crimes."

Gabriel has been charged with four counts of theft under $5,000. He's scheduled to appear in court next Monday, where it's expected that he will enter a guilty plea.

tolsen@chilliwacktimes.com