Thieves Target Elk Grove Lions Club, Emptying Trailer Of $20,000 In Cooking Supplies
ELK GROVE (CBS13) — A local service club is reeling after thousands of dollars' worth of supplies were stolen.
The thieves busted open a gate to steal the trailer. It's since been recovered, but it was also cleaned out.
All that's left now is a hose and a broom.
Expensive grills, cooking supplies, even a 50-pound bag of pancake mix were taken, adding up to $20,000 of stolen equipment.
"They're not going to get much for the equipment, but they've really ruined us doing our community service," said Bill Hubbard.
The Lions Club has served Elk Grove for 64 years. A big part of what they do is help other charities and organizations raise money by providing pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners.
"This is just a part of who we are, so when they take that it's like pulling part of your heart out," said Dave King.
The club does 100 big events a year, but King says if they had to put one on tomorrow, they couldn't.
"The idea that someone's taking something that belongs to our community—it's not just the Lions—I mean it belongs to us—but ultimately it belongs to the community. That's who we serve," he said.
Surveillance pictures show the suspects' white truck coming in around 10 p.m. on Friday and towing the trailer away 10 minutes later. The trailer was found on Sunday morning, ditched on a side street.
It's a burglary that's put the service club in an unusual position.
"It sounds like some of the community is starting to rally and say, 'What can we do to help you?'" King said.
The club is also looking into whether insurance will cover some of the loss.