Del Paso Heights Little League Devastated After Thieves Hit Storage Container

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Mervin Brookins isn't used to looking into an almost-empty storage container at Grant High School in Del Paso Heights. Normally, it would be filled with equipment for Grant Little League Baseball and Grant Junior Pacers Basketball.

But on Friday morning, thieves used a bolt cutter to break into the container and make off with quite a loot.

"They have brand new helmets, brand new baseball bats, as well as basketballs we use for the upcoming basketball season," said Brookins, who is president of the leagues.

Brookins estimates the thieves took off with about $5,000 worth of equipment. He says the leagues rely on community sponsorship, so the loss is devastating. Hundreds of local kids play in the leagues and this is a big loss.

"I'm extremely disappointed," said Brookins. "Because if you're from the community, you know what that means to the kids in this community. Most of us grew up playing in Grant Little League so you're not taking from the parents, you're taking from the kids."

"They should be ashamed," said Tanya Brewer, a parent who has four kids who play in the league. "They really should be ashamed to steal from children and I mean three or four-year-olds who play T-ball."

Brookins believes the thieves will try to sell the stolen items. He plans to file a report with the school police. And while he would like to see the crooks get caught, he'd rather them just return the equipment.

"No questions asked," he said.