Thieves steal equipment from Salinas soccer team

Ulises Arcida is the goalkeeper for one of five AC Milan teams in the Salinas Soccer League. The group of future soccer stars says thieves stole their chance to perfect their skills.

“We’ve got to find this, and get ready to win on Sunday and all the games that come up,” Arcida said.

Just about all of their equipment used in practices to play and improve is now gone. A coach stored that equipment in his car, which was broken in to either Sunday night or early Morning morning. The car was parked in front of an apartment complex on North Sanborn Road and Buckhorn Drive.

While some practice cones and balls remain, others were taken, along with larger items likes goals, portable lights and generators. These items are critical to powering the teams’ practices, which happen at night because their parents work during the day. And the park they practice at doesn’t have lights overhead.

“We were practicing with the lights. And now we don’t have lights so we can’t practice. If we can’t practice, then when we show up to the game, it’s not going to be the same,” said Coach Julio Gonzalez.

Parents and coaches foot the bill for the items. They say what was stolen is worth an estimated three thousand dollars. Playing in the league is free.

“When kids join this team, we do not charge (them). And the coaches are here on their own will. They do not get paid for coaching the kids,” said team assistant and parent Josefina Mendez.

Being involved in multiple ways doubles her motivation and belief that the teams will carry on.

“This is not going to stop us from training the kids. This is going to motivate us to get (closer)
and the parents to get more involved. Somehow we are going to get that money back,” Mendez said.

The team was preparing to play in a tournament in Mexico City, but having to now pay for and replace their lights is putting the trip in jeopardy.

A police report has been filed. The Salinas Police Department tells KION that there was one other break in at that apartment complex in the last ten days. There is no information on a possible suspect.

If you want to help the team, they ask that you call: 831-905-9975 or visit their GoFundMe page HERE.