An act of theft in the city of Dunkirk is being used as a learning tool.

Sixto Rosario, owner and CEO of the Chautauqua Hurricane and Jr. Hurricane, had his vehicle locked in his backyard, but with the back window down just a crack, it proved to be just enough for someone to break into the vehicle and steal $687.20 worth of Jr. Hurricane uniforms.

“It was just enough for smaller hands to get in there and unlock it,” Rosario said of the window. “I went out to the van and something seemed strange. I parked it out back in the grass for a while numerous times. You don’t think nothing of it because it’s back there. Then I realized the jerseys were missing and so was my GPS. After every game, I take the jerseys home and wash them so the kids have clean jerseys for games.”

The Jr. Hurricane will be competing in a tournament this coming Monday. And as of now, Rosario is trying to dig out matching uniforms of sorts for the players to wear Monday. The players work to pay off the expense for the jerseys by mowing lawns and doing yard work around the Dunkirk area. Noting the kids were visibly upset about someone stealing the jerseys, Rosario is taking the opportunity to teach the players a lesson.

“You know what, we have to continue plugging away,” he said.

“They work hard for this stuff. I think this is our opportunity to show the kids how we respond as adults towards this. You just have to be strong. We talked to the kids after practice and the message was you don’t want to get caught up in a crowd doing things they know are wrong and can get them time in prison. You don’t want to be that kid.”

Rosario also said there is time for the perpetrator to return the uniforms and all will be forgiven and forgotten. All Rosario asks for is the thief return the uniforms to the front steps of either Faith Baptist Church on 32 E. 2nd St., or First Baptist Church, 876 Central Ave.

“I will grab them, wash them and we will move on,” Rosario concluded.

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