Two separate Salvation Army donation kettles were reported stolen this week, with one taking place on Tuesday at 4:30 pm and the other on Wednesday at 7:15pm.

On Tuesday afternoon, at the London Drugs on Lansdowne Street, a volunteer was approached by two men. One of whom had pepper spray and the other carrying bolt cutters. The men reportedly cut the kettle loose, and disappeared with the donations. The pepper spray was not used on the volunteer.

The second instance of a kettle robbery happened just over 24 hours later, at the Superstore located on Columbia St, as a volunteer was picking up the days donations. The suspect supposedly stole the bag right out of the volunteers hand as they were in the parking lot, knocking the Sally Ann member over in the process. The volunteer has some bumps and bruises, but is managing on alright.

Captain Cory Fifield, the Corps officer in charge of the organization’s Kamloops branch estimated the total amount stolen was over $1000, but most likely under $2000. The incidents are believed to be unrelated at this time.

He hopes the robberies don’t set the Salvation Army back too far, either by dissuading donors or scaring volunteers.

Although situations like this are rare, Sally Ann volunteers are instructed to not put up a fight, and to consider their safety first and foremost.

Fifield informed NL news that the safety of the volunteers is the top concern for the company. “For us, our first priority is making sure our volunteers and staff are safe, and fortunately no one was hurt in that way.”

Safety precautions are being thoroughly discussed for the Sally Ann staff. Captain Fifield suggests the company will be implementing a two person pick up, to reduce the potential risk of theft during the evenings. He says “in terms of our pickups, were going to be adding a staff member so that there is additional support in terms of doing our nightly pickups or drops for collecting funds.”

The Sally Ann captain says there is no reason to believe the volunteers and staff are at risk.

Fifield ensures the company will be doing all it can and will reviewing its procedures, to ensure everyone is safe during the remainder of the campaign.

Those who have donated cheques at these two locations are encouraged to cancel them.

More information and RCMP updates will be released as the story progresses.