Thief steals fundraiser candy, snacks from little league | Crime

Update: Since this story was first reported, Stumptown Coffee offered to donate $2,128 to cover the cost of the stolen snacks. Rick's Custom Fencing and Decking also donated an additional $1,500. Fred Meyer and the Salvation Army are donating replacement snacks and drinks.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Somebody broke into a concession stand at a Southeast Portland ball field and stole thousands of dollars of merchandise that was the primary source of income for a little league.

The thief or thieves swiped soda, candy, bottled water and pepperoni sticks from the Mount Tabor Little League. The crime happened just a week before they are set to host a big tournament.

“The most important thing was our fundraiser. We had five cases of pepperoni, $1,500 worth of fundraiser,” said league president Sherilynn Mobley.

Selling snacks helps support the league, but this year the income was extra important. The money was going to help replace uniforms and equipment that got moldy when water leaked into a storage unit. The damage cost the league $8,000.

The kids who work hard to fundraiser for their league are disappointed at the theft.

“Stealing from kids, pretty much,” one of them said.

“It’s been kind of rough for other people because they might not be able to afford gloves,” another girl said.

Mobley said coaches strive to build good character in the kids.

“Loyalty, courage and character are the three main things we say to the kids always,” she said.

Despite the setback, she thinks this incident can be a teachable moment.

“You have to grow and learn from it and continue to do your best,” she said. “No matter how many times you get knocked down you need to get back up and keep going.”

The theft happened sometime between Thursday night and Friday night, Mobley said. There was no sign of forced entry, so she thinks somebody might have got in while the door was unlocked during practice on Friday.