Port Alberni RCMP have put a stop to an unsponsored solicitation of money for an alleged cancer cause, RCMP Cpl. Jen Allan said.
RCMP questioned a male and female on Jan. 18 shortly after receiving complaints from residents about a couple soliciting funds for a cancer cause. Police spoke with the woman first, then the male, who had left the area then returned, Allan said.
The couple are new to Port Alberni, they said. But neither were carrying any identification and police couldn’t verify their story.
“We back checked their story and because of lack of detail weren’t able to determine who they were with,” Allan said. “We haven’t received any more complaints about this since.”
On Jan. 17, police warned the public about a woman who was soliciting funds door-to-door, allegedly for a cancer-stricken family member. The woman produced a news story that she said was about the relative but produced no identification or documents.
“We advised them that if they have a family member who is ill with cancer then the Canadian Cancer Society is the better route for them to go for help,” Allan said.
The couple came to resident Liz Stonard’s door in a 10th Avenue neighbourhood mid-day on Thursday. “I only saw the woman. She said she was collecting money or bottles for a family member with cancer,” Stonard said. “I gave her a bag of change.”
Stonard said she felt bad later after finding out she may have been duped, but felt worse for others.
“I heard she may have taken some people for hundreds of dollars and in once instance more.”
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