Found, But Empty: Maple Grove Scout Trailer Recovered After Brazen Theft
A Maple Grove Boy Scout Troop received some bittersweet news last weekend, one week after someone stole their trailer filled with camping equipment out of a church parking lot.
Maple Grove police say the trailer was found at a single family residence in Brooklyn Park on Feb. 13, just not in the condition Boy Scout Troop 84 had hoped.
“There was an immediate feeling of relief, which faded quickly upon learning that it had been repainted, the gear was gone, and it had been filled with trash,” said Carl Epping, the Troop 84 scoutmaster. “Picking it up from the impound lot and disposing of the trash added cost and time to an already stressful situation.”
The troop had to pay $300 to remove the trailer from the impound lot.
“It was also very unfortunate to see that the names of all of our troop’s Eagle Scouts from the past 36 years had been removed,” Epping added.
Epping estimates it will cost thousands of dollars to complete repairs.
A photo posted on GoFundMe shows Boy Scout Troop 84’s stolen trailer filled with trash.
Taken from a parking lot
Scout leaders say someone stole the trailer on the evening of Feb. 6, or early in the morning on Feb. 7, from the parking lot of Maple Grove Lutheran Church. Traffic cameras spotted a truck hauling the stolen trailer on I-94 West near Maple Grove Parkway around 12:40 p.m. on Feb. 7.
Maple Grove Police Commander Jon Wetternach said they are investigating whether the homeowner where the trailer was found was involved in its disappearance. However, nobody’s been charged and police have made no arrests.
Anyone with information on the theft of the trailer or the whereabouts of the camping equipment should contact Detective Jon Bueckers at 763-494-6191 or jbueckers@maplegrovemn.gov.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page set up to help the Boy Scout Troop replace the trailer and stolen gear has surpassed the $25,000 fundraising goal.
“The response has been overwhelming. We appreciate the many people who have donated or reached out to us in other ways,” said Epping. “It really helps to remind us that all we do for the community is noticed and appreciated.”
Epping said the outpouring of support has helped boost the spirit of the scouts.
“Some were frustrated and angry, some just wanted to get to work on rebuilding,” Epping said. “But for all of them it has inspired them and reminded them that they are not alone and have a community behind them.”
Editor’s note: this article has been updated from its original version to include quotes from the scoutmaster.
