By Nigel Maxwell

Thieves take cash from local organization

Dec 20, 2010 | 10:50 AM

The organizers of a fundraiser in Prince Albert say they blame themselves for a theft that occurred over the weekend.

A small cash box was taken from the Indian Métis Friendship Center Saturday night.

At the time, the center was holding a poker tournament, to raise money for various programs and renovations at the center.

Some of those programs include the distribution of Christmas hampers and a Christmas event for youth.

Witnesses say they saw men behaving suspiciously in the center earlier that night. They were wearing balaclava-type tuques inside and were hiding out in the bathroom.

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After they grabbed the cash box, several people acted to try and stop them.

“We had players actually get up and chase them, but there was a van waiting. We did get a plate number and I'm sure the police have a good idea of who it was. I know that staff here even have a good idea of who it was,” said Connie Farber, executive director of the centre.

“And we do blame ourselves. We looked at the way we handled it and how casual and cavalier it was. It was just very informal, the way we were handling cash. This serves as a real eye opener for other community groups holding fundraisers.”

Farber said she thinks that up to $1,800 was taken.

“You certainly don’t expect people who have used your services, to rob you,” Farber said.

“But you know, desperation leads to desperate measures and I expect that’s what happened, probably due to an addiction issue of some sorts.”

Prince Albert police have not made any arrests.

But, there was some good news to come from Saturday night.

Nearly 45 minutes after the theft, the Chief of the Cumberland House Cree Nation, Lorne Stewart, donated six large turkeys and 12 hams to the center.

For more: Police look for cashbox thieves

nmaxwell@panow.com