A long-time fan of the singing-and-dancing orlando-based quintet, who was at the concert yesterday afternoon at the Molson Amphitheatre, said she saw some itchy-fingered security guards rifle through presents intended for the Backstreet Boys.

"They were likd kids in a candy store," said Melissa Harlos, 16, of Brantford, who allegedly saw security guards stealing gifts meant for the five performers from faithful fans.

She alleged she saw the security staff claim a stuffed bee, a silver necklace and a gold heart and put them in their pockets. And she said all the love notes attached to the gifts were just tossed in the garbage.

Cam Carpenter, a spokesman for the Backstreet Boys' record company BMG Records, said that stuffed animals and some gifts are usually given to charities and hospitals.

A Risk Protective Managemant Security spokesman said the band had given security permission to keep everything but the stuffed animals.

- Greg MacDonald and Andrea Schaffeler, Toronto Sun

August 23, 1998