MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A major setback to plans to open a Boys & Girls Club chapter in Oakhaven after crooks stole everything of value, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damages.
"The thieves stole all the copper the HVAC lines, the HVAC units," said Vincent Borello, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis. "Anything that had copper in it, anything that had of value in it."
Borello says he last checked on the site on the 3900 block of Tchulahoma late last week, and returned on Monday to find the damage.
"They actually went into the attic, they took their time," he said. "There is extensive, extensive damage."
"You can see where they were kind enough to leave one of the copper lines," Borello said, as he picked up what was left.
The club hoped to have the site open by January 1st. That date is now up in the air, as the club tries to raise the estimated $100,000.
Borello has a special message for the thugs responsible.
"You don't realize the amount of young lives you've interrupted, we are trying to do something great out here for the Oakhaven community," he said.
Still, the club is vowing to overcome this obstacle.
"It will set us back a little bit, but we will be victorious," said Evelyn Young, who will run the new site once it is up and running.
Borello agrees.
"You have set us back, but the kids will be served eventually, they will," he said.
