Petal officials are asking for the public’s help in locating two men who recently broke into the concession stand at the city’s sports fourplex on Hillcrest Loop near the Petal Family Branch YMCA.
Brian Hall, director of the City of Petal Parks and Recreation Department, said he is offering a $100 reward to anyone who can identify the men, who caused a large amount of damage to the facility while looking for money.
“Here’s some info for any future thieves: money goes to the bank; there’s none in any of our buildings,” Hall said. “You’re coming out empty-handed but still getting a breaking (and) entering, vandalism and trespassing charge, and possibly theft if you walked away with anything from the building.
“That’s a lot of charges for a Snickers. Not to mention there’s 800 players that use our fields. That’s a lot of families that will be angry with you for messing with their child’s fun/safe place. Think about it.”
In surveillance photos taken from the scene, the suspects appear to be wearing baseball caps, hoodies, sunglasses and masks. The men drove a white car away from the fourplex.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Petal Police Department at (601) 544-5331.
This incident marks the third time in the past year the department has seen an act of vandalism.
In June 2019, Hall had to replace a backboard at the basketball court after he discovered a large hole shattered through the goal on the left side of the hoop.
He worked with Hoops Inc. to get a new backboard for lower-than-normal cost, and was able to get the item for $432 rather than the usual $848 price tag.
Three months after that incident, a suspected vandal dumped trash on the courts, necessitating a short closure of the courts.
