Theft of gear threatens Saints’ parade marches

Marshall Cheatham sounded defeated Wednesday as he spoke about not knowing what the organization he founded will do after thieves stole a 28-foot trailer full of pretty much everything the Saints Drum & Bugle Corps needs to exist.

Specialized military bugles, and snare, bass and tenor drums — all gone. So are the uniforms, the microphones, the sound system and a generator. The Vintage trailer (Ohio license plate TRE4819) was worth thousands of dollars, and it held at least $60,000 worth of equipment, said Saints executive director Le Ron Carlton.

And with one of the biggest performances by the Columbus-area nonprofit group just a couple of days away — the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin — the Saints are scrambling.

“It’s frustrating,” said Cheatham, who founded the nonprofit Saints as a drum line more than 15 years ago to expose urban kids to music and help them get to college on scholarship.

The group has long kept its equipment trailer parked at the United Faith International Baptist Church on Stelzer Road. But when the pastor arrived at the church Wednesday morning, it was gone.

“I imagine someone thought they were getting a landscaping trailer full of valuable tools. Instead, they got equipment that matters to no one but us,” Carlton said. “I can’t even process all this yet.”

Mifflin Township police are investigating.

The organization has about 50 kids in the Drum & Bugle Guard, and serves probably another 50 through its other programs.

The organization has insurance, Carlton said, but he isn’t sure yet how much it will cover.

A few corps members and the current Winter Guard had their equipment with them. In addition, alumni and family and friends are helping to scrape together what they can in hopes of performing soon. Carlton hopes to even field a few performers in Dublin on Saturday.

“As Mr. Cheatham says, there is no option except for success,” Carlton said.

More information on the organization can be found at www.columbussaints.org