RCMP search for Remembrance Day pick-pockets who stole veterans' cellphones

RCMP in Lumsden are investigating after thieves targeted a local Remembrance Day ceremony. It happened while veterans and their families were paying respect at the town's Centennial Hall on Wednesday.

"It appears they went through the coats and jackets while the service was on," said Sgt. John Armstrong.

He said they mostly took small personal items and cellphones from veterans' coats.

"It's disappointing. You've got people paying respect to veterans and then this kind of thing happens," Sgt. Armstrong said.

RCMP say the incident has been given the same weight as any minor theft case, but that it's more troublesome because the suspects took advantage of veterans.

"I guess they just left their cellphones in their coats because they didn't want them going off in the ceremony," he said. "Being a human, it's just not what you expect."

Anyone with information about the alleged thefts should contact the Lumsden RCMP​.