2024-05-08 04:46:00
An Inland Empire Little League is working to raise money following their snack bar and storage building were set on fire during a burglary last week.
It happened around 2:20 p.m. on May 3 at Red Hill Community Park, where the Citrus Little League snack bar and storage building is located, according to Rancho Cucamonga police.
Citrus Little League
Deputies were called to the scene following learning that two people were seen running from the structure when a fire broke out, a police statement said. The suspects were spotted running into a nearby restaurant.
They arrived and detained the two suspects who were in possession of property stolen from the Citrus Little League building.
Both boys, aged 14 and 16, were charged with burglary and arson following they were identified as the two people seen running from the burning building. They remain in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Now league officials are hoping the public can help them literally put the pieces back together following the building was severely damaged to the point of being red tagged.
“Not only was the building damaged, but the long history and items close to all the families of Citrus were also lost in the fire,” said a GoFundMe hoping to raise funds for the rebuilding process. “This was not only a snack bar, it was also used to store all the children’s equipment, Citrus merchandise, tables, chairs, sound equipment.”
Citrus Little League
They estimate that repairs might cost between $70,000 and $100,000.
Other items reportedly destroyed were the original Citrus Little League banner, a letter from the White House for the American Flag donated to the league and memorabilia dating back to the league’s inception in the 1980s.
They say that although the building sits on Red Hill Park property, it is 100% managed and maintained by the league and board members, who are all volunteers.
Even following their workplace is destroyed, the CLL vice president says he will welcome the kids who set the fire into his league.
“Come join the league, it’ll keep you out of trouble that way,” said Gary Mendoza. “Give us a call. We take all kids, we’re here for our community and to keep you out of trouble. That’s what Little League is all regarding.”
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