Trailer, Camping Gear Stolen From Maple Grove Boy Scout Troop
A Maple Grove Boy Scout troop is searching for answers after its trailer and camping gear were stolen from a church parking lot.
“It’s a real bummer,” said Troop 84 Scoutmaster Carl Epping. “The Scouts here, you know, they work hard to get all that equipment over the years. Several generations of Scouts have accumulated what we have and what we work with, and they work hard to maintain it. They keep it clean after every camp out. And I mean, this is everything we use to do a campout, to do the learning and training, and just go out and have a good time with a purpose.”
The troop stored its trailer in the parking lot at Maple Grove Lutheran Church, located at 9251 Elm Creek Blvd.
It housed the tents, rain flies, axes, hatchets, tables, propane tanks, stoves and the other cookware the troop needs for its camping trips.
That equipment is “really crucial” to the troop’s summer camps, Epping said.
A photo of the cooking and camping gear that was stored inside Troop 84’s stolen trailer.
Trailer Stolen in Early February
After an event on Feb. 7 at the church, troop officials noticed the trailer was gone and the wheel lock was sitting on the ground.
That’s when they realized the trailer had been stolen, and reported it to police.
Investigators believe the theft occurred between Feb. 3 and Feb. 7.
The red trailer, which is decorated with gold maple leaves and the words “Boy Scout Troop 84” and “Maple Grove Lutheran Church” on the side, was seen being hauled at about 12:40 p.m. on Feb. 7 by an older model blue pickup truck with a white hood on I-94 near Maple Grove Parkway.
Maple Grove police posted this photo to its social media accounts on Feb. 12. They believe it’s hauling Troop 84’s stolen trailer.
The Scouts have started a GoFundMe to raise money to try and replace their gear. They’re also hosted a taco fundraiser at the Osseo-Maple Grove American Legion from 5-8 p.m. on Feb. 22.
Epping and Scout Charlie Ramsey said it will be difficult to replace all the equipment the troop lost.
Ramsey is “angry” and “frustrated” with the situation.
“I was disappointed, but ultimately there’s not much we can do about people like that,” he said. “I think it’s messed up that people steal something from a Scout troop, let alone one that resides at a church.”
However, Epping says the troop will trudge on with its work.
“We’re not going to let this get us down,” he said. “Scouts have great spirit. They took our stuff but not the spirit.”
Anyone with information can contact the Maple Grove Police Department at 763-494-6100. Tips can also be sent online through Crime Stoppers of Minnesota or by phone at 1-800-222-8477.
A Maple Grove scouting troop is searching for answers after its trailer and camping gear were stolen from a church parking lot.
