Little League hit by thefts
<p>A section of chain link was cut open in order to access the concessions stand at Croffoot Park in Hayden. Since May 20, the baseball complex, where Hayden Little Leaguers play and practice,has been the target of three burglaries and an incident of vandalism. More than $300 worth of money and snacks was stolen in the burglary incidents. </p>
HAYDEN - Someone is turning a field of dreams into a nightmare.
Croffoot Park, where Hayden Little Leaguers play and practice, has been burglarized or vandalized on four separate occasions since May 20, Kootenai County Sheriff's Lt. Stu Miller said. On three of those incidents, the concession stand was broken into and cash and snacks were taken.
"It's very sad," Matt Melton, head umpire for Hayden Little League, told The Press Thursday. "To see the amount of time and effort the board and city puts into the Little League program here, it's disappointing that a few individuals don't respect that. It hurts."
On May 20, according to Miller, the Hayden Little League reported that the concession stand at the park was broken into and $175 in cash and snacks were stolen. The concession stand was also broken into June 6 and 11, with the perpetrator or perpetrators making off with another $250 in cash and snacks.
Miller said Wednesday, the city of Hayden reported a malicious injury to property after it was found that graffiti had been spray-painted at the park. A damage estimate was unavailable at press time because, according to Miller, the lead deputy on the case was still writing the report.
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate these incidents.