Thieves leave soccer players in the dark
Vandals and thieves strike a popular soccer park in Indio canceling soccer games for hundreds of children.
Under the cover of darkness, copper wires were stolen out of the large light poles at the South Jackson Soccer Park.
“We have had two instances of vandalism,” said Sgt. Dan Marshall with the Indio Police Department. “What the vandals did is they stripped some of the wires out of the light poles, in addition to that they maliciously broke some valves, flooding the field.”
The copper thieves stole the wire on Tuesday night and flooded the field Wednesday night.
Notices about the vandalism have been sent out to parents saying some soccer games are canceled until repairs are made.
“I feel it’s a big disappointment, the kids actually need something to do, because if they don’t find something positive to do they will find something negative to do,” said Tracy Reed, unit director with the Boys and Girls Club in Indio. The club is next door to the soccer field.
“It’s the selfishness, they are trying their best to make that quick dollar without the care or paying attention to what they are doing,” said Eli Rodriguez.
“The city is fast tracking getting quotes to get those poles repaired, this park is one of the most used parks in the city of Indio, in any given week we have anywhere from 500 to 1,000 people there using that park,” said Marshall.
If you have any information about the vandalism at the soccer park in Indio, call Valley Crimestoppers at 760-341-STOP. You can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.
