Local RCMP are investigating the theft of the “Smiles for Shyanne” donation jar, which was stolen from the Fernie 7-11 store between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The donation jar was set up to raise funds for local Shyanne Osmond who will be undergoing a multitude of surgeries in 2015 to treat her rare form of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) — a type of congenital formation that creates an abnormal connection of blood between the arteries and veins.
Police say the funds were stolen from the 7-11 between 5:30 a.m. on December 24 and 7:15 p.m. on December 25.
“The staff at 7-11 didn’t see anything,” Elk Valley Sgt. Will Thien said. “At this point, if the public has any information, please give us a call.”
The amount collected has not yet been determined, and according to the Smiles for Shyanne Facebook page, the jars will be removed from several locations around town.
Thien noted that this type of theft is not uncommon during the holiday season.
“We do see this kind of stuff quite often during Christmas time,” he noted. “Christmas brings out the best in people but it also brings out the worst in people.”