| Updated: 6/27/2012 10:07 am |
Published: 6/26/2012 9:46 pm
|
Burglars walked away with hundreds of dollars in merchandise, and the victims were local students.
It happened Tuesday morning at the Big Blast fireworks stand on Vandalia Ave., near Yale and Pine.
After another day under the hot sun students from Booker T. Washington High School gathered in the shade. They did best they could to cash in.
"We've been working so hard to get to our goal," said student Raven Smith.
Smith said that goal just got tougher to reach. Some of the shelves at the stand are bare, but not because of sales, but because of burglars.
"I really feel for these organizations," said Tulsa County UnderSheriff Tim Albin.
Albin said the sheriff's office got the call Tuesday morning. The voice on the other end was heartbroken.
"Never thought they would do it to the kids,” said volunteer, Jayme Broome.
The money supports scholarships, meals and road trips for Booker T's band.
"Some people don't have the money to go to band camp," said Smith.
It gets a little pricey at $365 per student.
"They took two or three of those, and two or three of these,” said Broome. Add it all up and about $1,000, gone.
"It’s just a kick in the teeth for these organizations that are trying to do the right thing for kids, for these programs," said Albin.
Albin said whoever snatched the goods from the shelves will likely sell it for profit on the streets. He said this happens every year, so folks at Big Blast tried to plan ahead.
They added surveillance, but whoever took advantage, made sure to stand where the cameras weren't pointing.
"They had a plan; they had a plan whoever it was,” said Broome.
Thieves cut off the lock, and helped themselves even though staff stood nearby in a trailer.
"It just made me hurt. I know the whole band is hurt about what happened," said Smith.
Now the goal: earn it back, and keep closer watch while doing it.
Band camp begins next month. Police are still looking for the thieves. If you know anything about this call Crime Stoppers at (918) 596- COPS.
