Bollinger County soccer league's concession stand burglarized

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Members of the Bollinger County Soccer League are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people who broke into the concession stand in Twin Cities Park in Marble Hill.

Jennifer Steinberg and Stephanie Watkins, members of the board, said the soccer league board had recently restocked the concession stand in anticipation of the league's first games. About $600 worth of food was taken, along with sports equipment, appliances and a karaoke machine that the league used as a public address system.

Marble Hill police chief Dennis Willis said the intruders apparently got into the building by pushing in a piece of plywood covering a window that wouldn't lock.

Watkins and Steinberg said they found bread and meat on the floor, packages ripped open. What wasn't stolen was ruined. It's the fourth time in two years the concession stand has been burglarized.

City police have dusted for fingerprints and collected evidence. Willis said he has no suspects.

The soccer league cannot afford to restock the concession stand -- a major source of fundraising, Watkins and Steinberg said. The real victims, they said, are the children who play soccer.

"We don't have the money to go back out and restock," Watkins said.

The group doesn't carry insurance on the building or its contents.

Willis said the police department plans to change its schedule and pay particular attention to the park. He said he also plans to suggest the city add another full-time officer, which would give the city 24-hour coverage.

Anyone who has information can contact the police department at 573-238-2970. Callers can leave a message at extension 304.