Bushfire donation tins attract attention of thieves

By Zara Dawtrey - Police Reporter
Updated October 31 2012 - 1:43pm, first published February 23 2009 - 1:53am

A HOBART man has appeared in court charged with stealing a Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal donation tin.Police allege Matthew James Mundy, 29, of Mornington, grabbed the tin -- containing about $250 -- from the bar of the Derwent Tavern yesterday before running out.He was charged with stealing and appeared before an out-of-hours sitting of the Hobart Magistrates Court last night, when he was bailed to reappear for plea at a later date.In a separate incident, police believe a group of youths took a similar donation tin from a McDonalds restaraunt in Sandy Bay this afternoon.Police said the youths had stolen the tin from the counter of the McDonalds restaurant at about 1.45pm this afternoon.Two customers in the store chased two of the youths across the road, through the Chickenfeed car park, and up York St and Grosvenor St.The donation tin and its contents, were found in a Grosvenor Street backyard.One of the customers who chased the youths injured his leg.The youths are described as aged between 14 to 16, and about 164 centimetres tall. One of them had dark scruffy medium length hair with blonde tips at the front. He was first wearing a white hoodie, but discarded it. He was later wearing a white singlet with a pattern on the back. He was wearing dark pants and appeared to be of slim build.The second youth was wearing a black and grey striped top, dark pants, white runners and had a half shaven head with a "rat's tail".Police said a third male with blonde hair was also possibly involved.Any witnesses can call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

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