Freeport’s Wrigley Field replica, Little Cubs Field, burglarized

FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — Thieves targeted Freeport’s Little Cubs Field, a replica of Wrigley Field, and stole a “significant amount of cash,” according to Vice President Denny Garkey.

“A window was broken to gain entry and due to the size of the opening created for access, a small person was able to get into the gift shop, but would have had help being lifted to get in the rest of the way, then opened the door from the inside for others to enter. Only cash and some food and drinks were taken, no vandalism luckily,” Garkey said.

The cash register and donation jars were emptied, and some concessions were also stolen, he said.

The crime is thought to have happened within the last 10 days.

Little Cubs Field, at 1160 W Empire Street, attracts thousands of visitors each year.

“The idea of the lack of respect for not just a building where, you know, any break in, in any building business is bad,” Garkey said. “But when it’s a major tourist attraction in the Midwest and it has attachment, sentimental attachment to so many Cubs fans and baseball fans, then it hits a little harder.”

Garley said the idea to create the field came after seeing a kid’s whiffle ball field and wishing it resembled Wrigley Field. He began working on it in 2005, and the field officially opened on April 23rd, 2008.

The field has a few things from Wrigley, two pieces of ivy, a few stadium chairs, and 3 bricks behind home plate.

Garkey said the field’s board will hold a meeting to determine if more security is needed. In the meantime, they are working with the Freeport Police Department to review security footage from a nearby business.

“You made a miscalculation on how important this field in this gift shop and little Cubs field is to the community, not just the local Freeport and Stephenson County community, but the whole Chicago Cubs community,” Garkey said, addressing the thieves. “People are not happy. So if you want to come forward and confess, you can still make this right.”

Anyone with information on the crime is encouraged to contact Freeport Police at 815-235-8222.

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