OC Little League Reels After Theft Of $8K Worth Of Equipment
HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Police in Huntington Beach are on the hunt for a thief who stole more than $8,000 worth of baseball equipment from a little league over the weekend.
The theft occurred late Friday or early Sunday at Marina Park, in a storage bin located in the 15700 block of Graham Street.
CBS2's Michele Gile said the league run by a non-profit, is now turning to the public to help replace the stolen goods.
The equipment stolen from the bin included a $2,000 pitching machine, speakers and public address systems. An ATV was also stolen -- it was used to haul supplies and groom the field.
"I received a phone call from one of our winter call managers saying that the bins were unlocked and the locks were missing," said Theresa Stafford, League President.
Gile said hundreds of kids -- male and female -- will be affected without the equipment.
"It's definitely disheartening to come out here and see everything taken from us," said Stafford, "especially in the off season, or any time during the season. But it's definitely horrible to come out here and seem them take the things from the kids."
Without lots of funds, the teams operate with the help of donors.
"We are looking for help from the public," says Trent Byer, who works with the league. "Huntington Beach Police Department is investigating and they are working on all leads that they have. We are hoping the public can reach out and help us with replacing some of the equipment as well as donations."
In the 50 years the league has been in existence, crime has never been an issue, according to Gile.
But she says team volunteers say September has been rough.
The lock was broken at the league's snack bar over Labor day weekend. Fortunately, thieves didn't get to make it inside.
At the same time, thieves were able to break into the snack bar across the street at Marina High School. At least $1,000 worth of merchandise was stolen during that heist.
Police are trying to determine if the thefts are related.
To help the league, with a donation, click on the link.
