The thieves took folding chairs, canopy tents, bike pumps, and cans of Gatorade powder mix, police said.
Participants finish the 35th Annual Anchor House Ride for Runaways at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence on Saturday, July 20, 2013. Andrew Miller/For The Times of Trenton TRENTON — Barely 48 hours after completing a charity bike ride that raised more than half a million dollars for at-risk children and families last month, Anchor House’s garage in South Trenton was broken into and items that supported the ride were stolen, city police said today.
Thieves made a hole in the roof of the garage on the 400 block of Centre Street, gained entry through it, and stole nearly $2,000 worth of equipment used during the ride.
The yearly Anchor House Ride for Runaways leads cyclists on a 500-mile trek in an effort to raise money for the organization that provides shelter and aid to runaways and homeless, abused and at-risk young people and their families.
The 34th annual ride began July 11 in Burlington, Vt., and continued through New York and Pennsylvania before ending in New Jersey July 20. Supporters travel with the riders, providing repairs, nourishment and encouragement throughout the nine-day trek.
The burglary was discovered on July 22, Lt. Steve Varn said, the Monday after the ride had reached its endpoint at Quaker Bridge Mall on the previous Saturday. Police believe the break-in took place overnight.
Officers were dispatched to the garage at 11 a.m., where they discovered the hole. The thieves had taken folding chairs, canopy tents, bike pumps, and cans of Gatorade powder mix, Varn said. The total value of the items was estimated at $1,950.
Detective Michael Nazario was assigned to the case, which remains under investigation, Varn said. No suspect descriptions were available.
Anyone with information on the crime should call police at (609) 989-4170, or the Confidential Tip Line at (609) 989-3663.
Contact Alex Zdan at azdan@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5705.
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