Plainville Police Arrest Man Claiming To Collect Money For Veterans

PLAINVILLE (CBS) – A Connecticut man who said he was collecting money for Massachusetts veterans was arrested after being confronted by a police officer in Plainville on Friday.

Police say 67-year-old Harvey Malbaurn was soliciting donations near the drive-thru window of a Dunkin Donuts with a bucket that had the words "Focus On Veterans" on it.

Malbaurn was dressed in military style fatigues and stood next to a table that had a banner hanging from it which read, "Support Our Massachusetts Veterans."

A Plainville officer made a donation, and then struck up a conversation him. Malbaurn said the money went to a house in Connecticut for homeless veterans and not Massachusetts vets.

Related: Mass. Bans Charity Claiming To Help Vets

Malbaurn claimed to be in the military, but could not provide any information about what branch he was in.

Police made a call to the Attorney General's office and found that the Focus on Veterans group was not allowed to solicit money in Massachusetts.

Malbaurn, who had collected over $500 until his conversation with the officer, was arrested and charged with Larceny by False Pretenses.

The Attorney General's office will be investigating the group further.

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