Monrovia police recover Centre Stage’s stolen truck, investigation continues

Monrovia authorities have recovered a truck belonging to local youth theater group Centre Stage and are still trying to locate the missing equipment and tools that were inside the vehicle’s trailer when they were stolen last week, City Manager Dylan Feik said Thursday.

“We are still searching for the trailer and its contents,” Feik said in an email to Monrovia Weekly. “Apparently we’ve recovered some, not all, of their stolen tools as well. …

“Our detectives continue to actively investigate and I’m overly optimistic we’ll have more good news coming soon,” he added.

A GoFundMe page is collecting donations to help Centre Stage recover from the theft.

“We are pleading for help!” Keely Milliken wrote on the fundraising webpage. “Our truck and trailer with our musical set and tools were stolen from our home. This impacts our non-profit children’s company’s ability to continue. We need your help to replace.”

The theft likely occurred in the early-morning hours of July 23, two days before the theater group was set to open a production of the musical “Annie.”

The nonprofit’s truck, trailer, props and equipment amount to an expensive loss.

“We’re already going to have to look at renting trucks. Plus we’re supposed to pick up another set on Monday so there’s all those financial impacts,” Milliken told ABC7. “Plus with inflation, trying to buy a truck and trailer is going to be at least $30,000.”

Authorities asked anyone with information on the theft or whereabouts of the stolen truck, trailer and stage equipment to contact the Monrovia Police Department at 626-256-8000.