CHICAGO (CBS) — Thieves this weekend stole 25 bicycles and other essential equipment from the West Side youth boxing club Boxing Out Negativity, a nonprofit anti-violence group that provides a safe space for young people in North Lawndale.
Since the theft on Saturday, there has been an outpouring of support to ensure the group’s efforts can continue in the community.
First the thieves tried to enter the organization through the back door. They even took off the doorknob. When that didn’t work, they got to the cellar door and kicked it in.
Surveillance video shows a thief trying to violently shake a flat-screen TV off the wall; shaking so hard that the camera on top of the wall rattles. The thieves are apparently frustrated because it was so difficult to remove it.
Ultimately, thieves stole two televisions from the boxing club.
Other video footage shows what appears to be the same man wearing a hoodie, backpack and shoes, all belonging to teenagers participating in Boxing Out Negativity. After stealing these items, the thief casually lit a cigarette.
The goal of Boxing Out Negativity is to provide a safe place for children in North Lawndale. Not only were members’ personal belongings taken – such as these gloves and personalized shorts used in youth boxing matches – but also bicycles used by the organization at community events. They were stored in the basement.
All 23 bicycles and 2 e-bikes in the organization’s fleet were stolen. The stolen bicycles were always available free of charge to group members and the community.
Sound equipment used for their annual Street Love Rides, as well as the organization’s computers, were also taken. An iPad was also taken from one child who is part of the club.
“I can probably guarantee that those people were not from this community, because of the fact [of] our strong bond with the community,” said Boxing Out Negativity founder Derek Brown.
In total, thieves made off with $15,000 worth of equipment. A witness said they saw three people in the building on Saturday during the time the items were stolen.
Volunteer Julie Globokar News of the theft has led other organizations to seek help.
“Sanabul has generously offered to donate some boxing gear for us, and Working Bikes – a West Side organization that breathes new life into old bikes so they distribute things both locally and globally – have offered to take donations on our behalf,” Globokar said .
Brown said many of the stolen items were personalized, and the group hopes that if anyone finds these items, possibly just thrown away in a dumpster, they will simply return them.
They have a game in Rockford in a few days.
Boxing Out Negativity accepts donations on its own website. Sanabul Sports donates boxing equipment and Working Bikes accepts bicycles on behalf of the boxing club.
Suzanne Le Mignot
