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Vandals, thieves hit park concession stand
FOUR TIMES IN TWO WEEKS
Police, as well as a horde of angry Little League parents, are looking for the vandals who have broken in to the concession building at Community Park four times in the past two weeks.
Beverly Gilbreath, who is in charge of the concessions, said the first break-in happened the night of Friday, April 25, when an intruder broke a vent in a door inside a locked storage area and stole $91.
Gilbreath said the league doesn't usually leave money in the building, but it was there until someone could pick it up. During that period, the vandals broke in and found the cash, she said.
They also got into the cage area in the upstairs area of the building, where equipment is stored for Little League use as well as for the skate park and soccer leagues. There, they opened a window and turned on lights, but apparently stole nothing, Gilbreath said.
Three nights later, on Monday, April 28, thieves stole about $10 worth of beef jerky that was in a glass jar inside the concession stand. These vandals also opened the upstairs room, but apparently stole nothing.
After a change of locks on the building, the vandals still managed to break in again on Thursday, May 1. This time they stole around $50 in candy and food, Gilbreath said.
On Saturday, May 3, police checked the building during the early hours and found it secure. About two hours later, however, an officer noticed an item outside the building and on investigation, found it had been broken into.
This time, some walls in the stand were kicked in to gain entry to an interior room.
Gilbreath said nothing of value, including food or money, is being kept in the concession building any longer.
"I have worked with the Little League for more than five years now with the concession stand, and this is a first," she said. "We have never been worried (before) about our food being stolen or people breaking in. It is very sad."
Port Aransas police detective Lt. Darryl Johnson said while police are keeping an eye on the building, officers can't be there 24 hours a day, or even all during the night.
The Little League is raising money for a reward to be offered for information leading to the arrest of the thieves, Gilbreath said. Johnson said the city's crime tips hotline, at 749- 5288, also offers rewards for information useful in solving crimes. Callers to that number can remain anonymous if they wish, Johnson said.
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