Burglars targeted a youth recreation center in Miami, Fla., where they broke in and stole electronics, leaving behind a mess, officials say.
Police are investigating the incident that took place at the Miami Police Department’s Police Athletic League youth center in Little Haiti, according to WPLG-TV.
Officers responded to the PAL youth center at 7200 NE 2nd Ave. at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday to investigate after someone made a complaint. Officers found "the building’s back doors pried opened with damaged locks,” according to Officer Kiara Delva of the Miami Police Department.
Police said multiple items were taken during the incident.
“It appears that unknown suspect(s) burglarized the youth center, ransacked, and stole several items to include televisions, computers, a printer, PlayStation games and controllers from the location,” Delva said.
Maj. Albert Guerra, who leads the program, tweeted about the incident Friday.
“I want to thank the cowardly thieves that broke into our (PAL) youth center in Little Haiti & stole several computers while also finding the time to ransack the place,” Guerra posted on Twitter. “Your actions have made the bond between this community & (MPD) that much stronger.”
According to its website, Miami PAL provides “free after-school programs, summer academic camps, and athletic programs to over 1,000 youths, ages 5-18 who may otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in these activities.”
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the MPD’s Burglary Unit at 305-603-6030, or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
