What started as a routine Thursday shift at the Philomath Lions Club’s fireworks stand turned into a shocking discovery for treasurer Tom Wright, who arrived at noon to find the door pried open and hundreds of dollars worth of fireworks stolen.
“I looked down and the lock was laying on the ground,” Wright said. “He pried off the hasp that we had and part of the lock snapped off. It bent up the hasp pretty badly but the trailer itself was not in terrible shape.”
The thief made off with an estimated $850 retail worth of fireworks, targeting primarily the more expensive items, which typically range from $35 to $55.
“He took mostly the big ticket items,” Wright explained. “He left some but he took most of them — all the kits.”
For the Lions Club, which has operated the fireworks stand for many years, the break-in represents more than just a financial loss.
“This is one of the major fundraising events for the Lions Club and this was a devastating loss,” said Lions Club member Rich Saalsaa. “This is the first time since starting the booth decades ago that we experienced a break-in.”
The Lions Club has liability insurance only for its fundraising activities with no coverage that would pay out for this type of product loss, Wright noted.
The fireworks stand, which is set up in the parking lot of Marys Peak True Value, serves as one of the club’s most rewarding fundraisers. The annual summer book sale, which is coming up July 24-26, is the largest.
Philomath Police Chief Dave Gurski said investigators have identified a suspect through video evidence collected from the scene.
“The officers did some follow-up on that with a whole bunch of video and ended up ID’ing a suspect,” Gurski said.
The video showed the suspect both walking and driving in the area and included clear images of his face.
After cross-referencing the footage with record management databases and past jail photos, police were able to identify the individual.
“We know who he is … we just need to go pick him up and charge him,” Gurski said.
The fireworks stand, which opened June 23, will continue operating through the night of July 4. The Lions Club emphasizes that every dollar raised in Philomath stays in the local community.
Despite the setback, Wright said the club remains financially stable. The greater impact, he explained, was emotional.
“You work (through volunteer hours) because it’s enjoyable for you and you think you’re doing good and then this happens,” Wright said.
Wow
Stealing is awful but even worse when it from the good people of the Lion’s Club
Very sad
Keep your noble heads held high, Lions! You do great work in the community and we are fortunate to have you!