Thieves Target Norman Boy Scout Troop

Thieves who targeted a local Boy Scout group took off with thousands of dollars-worth of equipment.

Wednesday, September 24th 2014, 6:45 pm

By: News 9


Thieves who targeted a local Boy Scout group took off with thousands of dollars-worth of equipment.

Leaders for Boy Scout Troop 245 in Norman said the crooks timed the theft perfectly. They usually keep the trailer empty, but had just packed up all their gear inside it for a big campout this weekend.

The thieves left behind the chains and cinderblocks where the trailer once sat in the parking lot of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Norman.

“Demoralizing, it felt upsetting, more for the kids than anything else because for some of the kids it was the first time that they ever experienced any loss, financial loss,” said scoutmaster Jim Nelson.

The boys, who are mostly between the ages of 11 and 15, had raised money to go to summer camp and buy replacement gear. They had just packed the trailer full of all that equipment for their big campout.

“We told the boys, it's not going to be a big campout like it normally is with our normal gear,” said Nelson. “So, we are really going to be roughing it this weekend.”

The trailer costs about $1,500 and had $3,000 worth of gear including tents, tarps, propane canisters, lanterns, cooking kits, stoves and kitchen utensils.

“Mostly, it's just our rain or bad weather that sets us back, so something like this of this financial magnitude has never happened before,” Nelson told News 9.

The trailer says "Troop 245" on the side and has camping patches on the back.

“I don't know if we are being targeted because we're scouts, they figure we are easy pickins' or what, but it's disheartening,” Nelson explained.

Someone definitely knew they were stealing from boy scouts, but the troop is staying positive.

“Hopefully, whoever ended up taking it, they can get some usefulness out of it like we did and hopefully there is some decency,” said Nelson. “If they don't need the gear inside, please bring it back to the church.”

The troop believes the theft happened between Sept. 17 and Sept. 22. If you know anything about the trailer or remember seeing it during that time frame, call (405) 739-9899.

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