CANOE -- CNEWS - Politics: Ballot box stolen, run over with truck

NEW GLASGOW, N.S. (CP) - Voters in a central Nova Scotia community have another Ballot Bandit in their midst.

Police say a man ran into a polling station in New Glasgow, grabbed a ballot box, and drove over it with his truck. The bizarre incident, a few hours after the polls opened Monday in the Maritimes, was similar to another case in the same town during the federal election in 2000.

In the latest incident, the box was reduced to a torn and crumpled mess, but the 57 ballots inside were recovered and placed in a new box, said Elections Canada officials.

"They're OK, unspoiled and back in the box," said returning officer Lottie Stewart. "Everything is fine."

Officials called police, who quickly made an arrest. A 56-year-old faces charges of theft and damage to property. Police also expect to lay charges under the Canada Elections Act.