Thieves target Vallejo youth football league, van and equipment stolen

VALLEJO, Calif. ( KRON ) — A youth football league was targeted by thieves in the North Bay. A van used to transport kids and equipment was stolen from The Coach Sarna NFL Flag Football League in Vallejo.

It was tracked down and arrests have been made, but not before the suspects caused thousands of dollars in damages.

When founder Ryan Sarna woke up to his dog barking early last Wednesday morning, he looked outside his window in Vallejo and saw his football league’s van was still in the driveway and went back to sleep.

“About 7 a.m., I got up and it was gone,” Sarna said.

Sadly, Sarna realized history was repeating itself. He founded the league back in 2021. This is the second time in more than two years that thieves have stolen the non-profit’s van.

“Really unfortunate, but we’re happy we got it back,” Sarna said.

Fortunately, unlike the first theft… It did not take weeks to track it down. This time, one of the football league’s coaches spotted it in a neighborhood just hours after the theft.

“He called and he said, ‘Coach Sarna, I am looking at the thieves right now,'” Sarna said. “They have your van, and they’re torching it.”

Sarna says at least three people were involved in the theft and attempt to torch off the van’s custom wrapping. Two people were placed under arrest.

Meanwhile, the cost to repair the damaged van is around $8,000. Sarna started an online fundraiser to help fix it back up.

“This is something that we wouldn’t give up on,” Sarna said. “Right, it is we’re coming together as a community. We’re going to stay together as a community. And, I think as a community, we see a setback and this is where we rise together and go forward.”

The league has two seasons a year. The next starts in October and registration is open.

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