Youth Ranch robbed, vandalized
According to a press release we just received:
The Donald W. Reynolds Campus of the Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranches (The Ranch) located near Fort Smith was vandalized overnight Thursday. Items stolen during the break-in included all of the children’s saddles, food, tools and supplies from The Ranch’s carpentry shop and all equipment from its auto shop. An investigation is underway with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
The full release is after the jump.
Youth Ranch Seeks Donations, Information
Following Fort Smith Campus Break-In
FORT SMITH, Ark. (March 9, 2007) – The Donald W. Reynolds Campus of the Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranches (The Ranch) located near Fort Smith was vandalized overnight Thursday. Items stolen during the break-in included all of the children’s saddles, food, tools and supplies from The Ranch’s carpentry shop and all equipment from its auto shop. An investigation is underway with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
The Ranch, which provides safe housing for abused children, finds itself in a desperate situation and is in need of supplies following the theft. As a result, all trail rides are cancelled until further notice.
Mike Cumnock, CEO of The Ranch, asks that anyone having any information regarding last night’s events to please contact the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department at (479) 474-2261.
The Ranch is taking care of the children on campus despite last night’s events; however, donations are greatly needed and will currently be accepted at the Mulberry campus.
The Ranch opened its Mulberry/Alma campus in 2005. Located on a 265-acre site in Mulberry, Arkansas (Crawford County) the campus serves families in northwest Arkansas, including those in Fort Smith, Alma, Fayetteville, Russellville, Springdale, Rogers and Clarksville. The Mulberry campus has three cottages each licensed for up to 10 children and an independent living complex for eight additional children. An administrative/tutorial center, an agri-business and vocational education center, guest lodge and a multi-purpose recreational center.
Comments
That's pretty low ... to steal from an outfit like this. Saddles, carpentry tools, and auto shop equipment ain't cheap, either. I get the newsletter from this agency and it looks like they do pretty good stuff.
I hope they find the bastards.
Posted by: hugh mann![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 9, 2007 07:29 PM
Lordy......I've never heard of this place. Are you sure it's near Fort Smith? Do they have a place like this for girls? I'd be glad to take them some clean socks and cigarettes. Are you sure this place is near Fort Smith?
Posted by: Deathbyinches![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 9, 2007 09:10 PM
I live at the Arkansas Sheriff's Youth Ranch and i'm 16 years old and yes, it was really low for someone to steal from us. One of the main things that my family does together is go horseback riding and now we cant...hopefully we will find out who did it. And also why would somebody steal food from us. I guess they needed that stuff more than we di...at least i hope so.
Posted by: ashley_bittenbender![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 13, 2007 09:16 AM