A Niagara Falls man was arrested after five poppy collection boxes were reported stolen in the past week.

Police say the first theft was reported Nov. 9 at a local business. Over the next two days, officers responded to three more similar thefts around the city.

After a fifth theft was reported, on Remembrance Day at a hotel on Victoria Avenue near Magdalen Street, police arrested a suspect a few streets away.

Niagara Regional Police allege the man was carrying stolen credit cards and identification when he was arrested. He is charged with four counts of theft under $5,000 and three counts of identity fraud.

He is also charged with two counts each of possession of property obtained by crime, possession of stolen credit cards, possession of identity documents and another identity card-related count.

He was held in custody to appear for a bail hearing Tuesday in St. Catharines.

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