Riverside Youth Dance Team Loses Thousands in Props to Theft Before Competition

Theft of Dance Props

• 😢 A youth dance team from Riverside had their $15,000 worth of stage props stolen from a U-Haul truck in downtown Los Angeles.
• 🗓️ The theft occurred on April 10th, just before the team was set to compete in a major competition.
• 🚗 The truck was parked in front of their hotel at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, where two individuals were captured on surveillance driving off with the vehicle.

Impact on the Dancers

• 💔 The stolen items included a custom-built set of bleachers, chairs, and other essential props that were integral to the dancers' choreography and routines.
• 🎭 Without the props, the team had to scramble to relearn their routines with little notice, impacting their performance.
• 😔 Coaches expressed a sense of real loss, emphasizing the hard work and dedication the students put into their craft.

Recovery and Future Competitions

• 💰 The team has managed to raise approximately $10,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to help replace the stolen items.
• ⏳ Building new custom-made props will take time, and the team is hoping to get back to normal as quickly as possible for their upcoming competitions.
• 📣 Coaches believe the dancers deserve to have their season and performances as envisioned.
• 🚓 The LAPD has taken a stolen vehicle report, but no suspects have been identified or apprehended yet.