Arthur Minor Ball seeks information after recent break-ins

ARTHUR – Arthur Minor Ball is appealing to the public for information after suffering a loss of over $3,500 in damage and stolen property in two recent concession booth break-ins.

The volunteer-run concession booth at the Arthur ball diamonds was targeted overnight on June 11, and again on June 29 between 3 and 4am.

No cash was stolen – the association does not keep money on site – but there was damaged property, stolen concession inventory and equipment, and additional costs for the organization, which relies heavily on volunteers and fundraising.

“There isn’t really much to gain from stealing from us,” Arthur Minor Ball treasurer Mandy Timmings said. “Everything that comes out of that booth goes right back into our association.”

The first break-in was discovered the morning of June 12 after a parent found a pile of Arthur Twisters T-shirts along Wellington Road 14 between Gordonville and Conn.

Snack booth coordinator Leanne Ferris told the Community News she inspected the building that morning and found the main door closed but unlocked, equipment knocked over, the freezer left open, concession products missing and a trail camera removed from the wall (no images were captured). 

A storage tote containing branded Arthur Twisters clothing was also missing.

Damage to the building, plus the stolen camera, merchandise and concession items, were valued at about $1,763. 

Second break-in

Following that break-in, the association installed a second camera equipped with cloud storage and mobile alerts.

At about 9:30am on June 29, Ferris said her husband checked the camera’s mobile app and discovered photographs of an unknown woman inside the concession stand that were captured at 3:46am.

Ferris said the concession stand’s roll-up serving window was damaged, products were again missing, the freezer was disturbed and the camera had been forcibly removed, despite being secured with locks.

The second incident caused an estimated $1,815 in damage and stolen property, including about $1,500 in damage to the nearly-new serving door.

Arthur Minor Ball posted surveillance images from the second break-in on social media, hoping someone would recognize the suspect.

The post was shared widely throughout the community, and Timmings said several people contacted the association privately with information. At least one name was provided to police.

“We’re hoping the more exposure it gets, whoever did this realizes people are paying attention,” Timmings said.

Ferris said the association believes the two break-ins were likely unrelated and the individuals involved in the first incident may already be known to some in the community.

“We are asking them to come forward to take responsibility and provide restitution,” Ferris said.

Arthur Minor Ball boasts 19 baseball and softball teams with more than 280 players, ranging in age from four to the U17 level. The concession stand serves families Sunday through Thursday evenings and during tournaments, and is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Timmings said it is the association’s largest fundraising source after player registration fees.

“We really do rely on that income from the concession booth for our organization,” she said. 

Revenue from concession sales is used to purchase uniforms and equipment and it helps fund capital improvements, including recent upgrades to the association’s batting cage.

Timmings told the Community News concession sales are up roughly 53 per cent over last season due to increased player registration and additional tournaments.

“Everybody loves [it],” she said. “It’s doing really well … so having our inventory taken and vandalism to the booth is a little disheartening – that comes straight out of our association.”

Beyond the financial losses, Ferris said some executive members have taken “at least 12 hours” away from work to deal with the situation, in addition to their regular volunteer hours. 

“The additional costs will likely need to come from the snack booth profits this summer, unless we receive other financial or in-kind contributions,” she added.

Wellington North covered repair costs after the first incident, while Snider Overhead Doors in Fergus – the company that originally donated the roll-up serving door – quickly made emergency repairs after the second break-in so the concession stand could reopen. But a replacement is likely necessary.

Timmings said the association has been encouraged by the number of residents who shared the surveillance images and offered support.

“We really appreciate the support from the community, not only during this incident but year after year,” she said. “We have so many sponsors and volunteers who help make our program possible.”

Anyone with information or video surveillance can contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

– With files from Rachel Hammermueller