Authorities said that thieves stole camping gear and a trailer full of equipment from two separate Boy Scout troops in the same Montana city.
According to The Billings Gazette, Scoutmaster Rick Lindholm said that on Jan. 12 a trailer loaded with camping gear for Troop 373 was stolen. The vehicle was taken from the Billings Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where it was parked.
“I’m disappointed that somebody would be so bold as to come to a church parking lot and take our trailer — not just break into it, but take the whole thing,” said Lindholm. “I can’t believe somebody would do that.”
This is not the first Boy Scout troop that had equipment stolen in recent weeks.
Just before Christmas, Troop 374, also in the Billings area, had the lock on their trailer cut and the crooks lifted the camping gear inside.
The money to buy the camping supplies was raised by the scout members of both troops.
The Associated Press noted that the gear stolen totals more than $10,000.
Lindholm said he would like to see the thieves brought to justice, but wouldn’t mind if the items and trailer were anonymously returned.