Watch above: Tens of thousands of dollars worth of ski equipment meant for young people with disabilities was stolen from northeast Edmonton earlier this week. As Eric Szeto reports, it’s going to have a major impact on those who depend on the gear.
EDMONTON — A cargo trailer that was stolen from a northeast Edmonton neighbourhood earlier this week contained valuable ski equipment used by athletes with special needs.
Police say the trailer and the equipment were stolen from the rear driveway of a house in the area of 119 Avenue and 44 Street sometime Tuesday night.
According to police, a suspect cut several locks that were securing the trailer and hitched it up to a truck. The suspect then drove away.
The owner of the trailer noticed it was missing Wednesday morning and reported it to police.
“Whoever stole this trailer may have been unaware what the contents were, or the value this equipment has to special needs athletes,” said Acting Staff Sgt. Pat Bruni with the Edmonton Police Service.
Inside the trailer was $12,000 worth of specialized cross-country ski equipment and $25,000 V-boards, which are used to make trails in the snow. Officers say the items are quite distinctive. They believe the items could be dumped in an alley somewhere, or even up for sale online.
The following pictures are examples of the type of equipment that was stolen, not the actual pieces.
The equipment is used as part of Cross Country Alberta’s ski school program. Michael Neary, sport manager for Cross Country Alberta, says the equipment is usually used by Para-Nordic athletes with spinal injuries or other conditions that require the use of a wheelchair.
“It’s very specialized and unique to the participants that use it. This equipment is also used by school children so that all students can enjoy the thrill of skiing,” he said.
“It’s very sad and unfortunate that our Para-Nordic participants will be deprived of their equipment. I would be very grateful to get this equipment back so that the kids we work with can participate this winter.”
Shyla Masse’s son Carson is one of the students who will be affected. Carson was born with a rare chromosome disorder. Masse says cross country skiing is one of the few outdoor activities the eight-year-old can enjoy with his classmates.
“I was really disappointed to hear the equipment had been stolen,” said Masse. “Every time we’re able to feel that we can have access to the regular things that we thought we’d be restricted from, it’s really empowering. It takes away the can’ts and replaces them with cans.
“It really hurts that somebody has compromised his inclusion.”
The trailer is described as a 2011 Mirage Cargo Craft Trailer with a single axle. It’s 10-feet long and white in colour. Police say the trailer is worth $3,000. A photo of the trailer was not made available.
Anyone with information regarding the incident or the suspect(s) is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
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