Thousands in boxing gear stolen from Bend youth program
A Bend youth boxing program was on the road at a tournament in Tacoma, Washington this weekend when all of their boxing gear was stolen, prompting a drive to help replace the items that is quickly raising funds.
The Deschutes County ROCKS boxing team has been around since 2004 and helps troubled youth by getting them involved with boxing.
Coach Richard Miller spoke to NewsChannel 21 on Monday about the car break-in.
Miller said the thieves broke into their Ford SUV sometime Saturday night or early Sunday morning while it was parked at the a Quinta Inn, taking $4,500 worth of boxing gear, including headgear and boxing uniforms.
Miller filed a report with Tacoma police. He said police have responded to three other car break-in during this past weekend in the same hotel parking lot.
Miller said the break-in and theft was a shock for him and his team.
He said the kids work every day and four nights a week, and they look forward to participating in these competitions.
The boxing team’s Bend gym was hit by vandals two years ago, almost to the day, in which they busted two windows.
The Deschutes County ROCKS boxing team has set up a GoFundMe page to help replace the gear that was stolen this past weekend.
They hope to raise the money to buy the gear before next month’s competitions.
