More than 600 medals and a slew of ribbons reserved for Special Olympics athletes were reported stolen Friday morning.
BEAVER FALLS — More than 600 medals and a slew of ribbons reserved for Special Olympics athletes were reported stolen Friday morning.
According to Beaver Falls Police Chief John Deluca, a box of medals intended to be handed out at a Special Olympics track and field completion at Geneva College went missing from the campus on Friday.
Event organizers left the medals at the college football stadium Thursday night in preparation for the event, Deluca said. The box was missing from the area when organizers and athletes showed up the next morning.
Team manager Dena Timper said she was “heartbroken” to discover the awards had been taken. She and other volunteers worked all weekend to put together other awards and fill out necessary paperwork.
“It takes some time” to organize the awards, she said.
In addition to medals and ribbons, other equipment items were taken. Timper said they’re missing stop watches, softballs, tape measures, tennis balls and walkie talkies.
However, there has been a silver lining in the form of donations from area businesses and Special Olympic organizations in surrounding counties, she said.
While the athletes were disappointed at the lack of medals and ribbons, the event carried on and, eventually, they will receive their awards.
“These athletes are my life,” Timper said. “It’s a heinous crime. Anyone that would do that is ridiculous.”
The Beaver Falls Police Department is investigating, Deluca said. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 724-846-7000.