Update: Local dance team’s stolen trailer found
Update:
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – A trailer packed with priceless costumes and props is back where it belongs.
The trailer was stolen from Dance Unlimited last week. On Monday, a woman said she was walking her dog when she noticed a trailer parked on a street and it looked out of place. She checked the license plate and contacted the dance studio.
“She said the license plate number (started with) 333 and when she said 333, I knew if it wasn’t a hoax, it had to be our trailer,” said Dance Unlimited Director Zorene Cruise.
Cruise contacted police. Police showed up, verified that it was her stolen trailer, and Cruise drove it back to their studio.
Outside Dance Unlimited, dancers, moms and dads worked in teams to carry the props inside the studio. Cruise said almost everything was accounted for, though several props and Cinderella’s glass slippers are missing.
“We’re still looking for our slippers. Instead of the slippers looking for Cinderella, Cinderella and all her buddies are looking for the slippers,” said Cruise.
Cruise said she is disappointed that the burglars managed to get away with a few things, but said the studio is already working on replacing them.
“Sometimes things happen and you don’t get everything back. Sometimes when things are broken, it’s not all fixable but that’s OK. We’ll work and make that better too,” said Cruise.
The woman who called in about the tip received reward money from the studio.
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Original Report:
A Colorado Springs dance studio, Dance Unlimited, is asking for help in tracking down a stolen trailer filled with dance costumes and props.
The team says their 12-foot white trailer was stolen from their studio parking lot Tuesday night. The studio is located off of North Academy and Kelly Johnson Blvd. The trailer has a Colorado license plate number 333-XRZ.
The trailer was filled with handmade props and costumes that took the team over six months to make.
“I’ve danced with those props since 2009, just because it may seem like a box, it means more to us,” said Emily Raucht, dancer.
The studio’s owner, Zorene Cruise says she was shocked to see the trailer stolen across from a police station. She calls the items inside “priceless props.”
“They’re important to me, my son built them and he passed away a few years ago. It was always nice to know that he was a part of everything we did,” said Cruise.
Cruise says the items included, black boxes, a pumpkin, carriage, clock, costumes and more. Cruise says the items are equivalent to thousands of dollars.
“We put a lot of time and energy into all those props. There’s so many parents here to get the kids where they are today, even the kids were painting, getting the props taken care of,” said Jessica Jones, parent.
Without surveillance video, police say it can be extremely difficult to track down a stolen trailer, but there are ways to help prevent it.
“Make sure you put some type of trailer lock on the hitch, if possible put it in some type of closed area that is fenced off. If not, make sure you have the VIN and plate number,” said Lt. Catherine Buckley, Colorado Springs police.
The team’s trailer was locked. They’re hoping someone will come forward with information.
“I’m extremely sad someone would do that, it’s a big part of our dance studio,” said Raucht.
The dance studio is offering a $800 reward. If you have any information contact Colorado Springs police or Zorene Cruise at 719-359-7796.
