Thieves hit little league food stand twice, ‘essentially stealing’ from kids
Two break-ins on two successive days at Windsor South Little League’s concession stand have left members of the organization disheartened.
“You’re essentially stealing from the kids,” league vice-president Rob Blondin said Friday of the break-ins that have cost the organization several thousand dollars in cash and stolen equipment. “It’s disturbing that someone would think to do this.”
League volunteers found the concession stand’s sliding window pried open on Tuesday. About $250 in cash was missing, as well as cases of product, including pop, hotdogs and bubble gum. Although police were notified and the small building in Central Park was secured almost immediately, the following morning organizers discovered the stand had been broken into a second time.
Now, all food stock and food preparation equipment, like the hotdog roller and microwave, are gone. The league estimates the total value of everything taken to be about $2,000.
“We see regularly that it’s spray painted and tagged, but we’ve never had an issue with theft before,” said John Downes, the league’s president. His organization has been using the concession stand for four years without issue. According to Blondin, the only things left are equipment too big to take: the fridge, freezer and the Slushie machine, which was broken during the break-ins. Volunteers run the non-profit league with money from fundraisers and kids’ registration fees. Although concession sales make up only a portion of revenues, Blondin said the stand is important for feeding out-of-town guests. Windsor South hosts the Little League Minor Ontario Championships on July 28. Towns take turn hosting the event, which costs thousands of dollars to put on. The league uses money from concession sales and sponsorships to recover some of the costs. Blondin said the organization will find a way to restock the concession stand, but it might have to cook hotdogs on a barbecue for the rest of the year.
The concession stand employs three of the league’s teenage baseball players. Downes said continuing to run the stand even after the break-in is like a badge of honour to them.
“It was certainly very frustrating the first time they broke in, perhaps maddening the second time, but there has been a lot of positivity to come out of it,” said Downes. Word of the break-in spread quickly over social media, and individuals have already begun donating to help the league restock. A gofundme.com page has been created seeking donations. Windsor Police Sgt. Steve Betteridge said the two concession stand break-ins remain under active investigation.
“For any business that may have a stand like this, or any private residence that may have a shed, say, in the backyard, we encourage people to make sure they’re as secure as possible,” said Betteridge. “Also, people shouldn’t leave valuables in them that a would-be thief would be attracted to and could take quickly, such as cash.” Betteridge said police have nothing to suggest a May 15 Central Little League theft is related to the two Windsor South Little League thefts.
“They ’re all under active investigation,” Betteridge said. “They’re in very different geographical locations. Currently, investigators don’t have any information that they’re linked whatsoever.” Police encourage anybody with information about the crimes to to contact Windsor Police Services at 519-255-6700, ext. 4350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS), or online at catchcrooks.com.