WOODLAWN, Tenn. – A building owned by Woodlawn Little League at Woodlawn Park was recently burglarized.
A news release from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) states that $15,000 worth of equipment was stolen.
The theft was discovered by two employees of the Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Department when they arrived at Woodlawn Park for ground maintenance on Friday.
Deputies and Investigators with MCSO responded to the scene. They were able to determine the suspect(s) forced entry into an equipment shed by the visible pry marks around the deadbolt exterior frame and around the door knob. The garage door on the shed had a large pry mark on the bottom and was raised about half way up. The shed is located near the rear of the property.
The stolen property included two John Deere Gators: a 4300 Compact valued at $12,250 and 430 Loader valued at $3,000. Nicole Matthews, Woodlawn Little League President, did not notice any additional equipment or supplies missing.
Investigators believe the burglary happened sometime between late Thursday night and early Friday morning. Track lines indicate the Gators were driven out of the building, across a field, and loaded onto a trailer parked in a driveway by the upper entrance of the park.
This is not the first time a local little league organization has been the victim of this type of crime. Earlier this year, Northwest Little League’s Stokes Field was vandalized and burglarized multiple times.
The Woodlawn Little League was started in 1997 by parents who believed in the program so strongly some placed second mortgages on their homes for money to start the league, according to Sandra Brandon, Public Information Officer for MCSO.
Now over 300 children participate in 23 teams within the organization. Woodlawn Little League’s Junior League Girls Softball (13-14 year old) are the current State Champions.
“It’s a shame someone would steal from children and parents who have worked so hard to purchase all the equipment we own,” said Coach and League Board Member Ricky Robertson.
“Stealing property that belongs to someone else is bad enough, but when you steal from an organization that supports children in the community, you have gone too far. We will bring in these heartless thieves, and when we do, I will do everything to make sure they get the book thrown at them,” said Sheriff John Fuson.
MCSO is asking the community for help with information regarding this burglary. Anyone with information pertaining to this crime can contact the MCSO at 931-648-0611 or the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 931-645-TIPS (8477).