Kingsville OPP investigate theft of yurt-like structure from mental health non-profit
Tent belonged to a non-profit that provides mental health and wellness services to youth
Essex Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say their community street crime unit is investigating after someone stole a yurt-like tent from a property in Kingsville.
It happened sometime between Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 at a property on County Road 20 West, police said in a news release issued Friday.
A local non-profit that provides mental health and wellness services to children, teens and young adults reported the structure missing on its Facebook page on Jan. 3.
"Our yurt has been stolen!" the Country Learning Centre wrote in a post on the social media platform.
"They only took the yurt and cut down our hammock. They emptied the contents of the yurt and placed them into another smaller tent we had. Took out the shelves and the sleeping bags as well."
The tent cost the organization approximately $1,500, it said in the post.
It has launched an online fundraiser to help replace it.
"This was our winter shelter," the post read. "We are saddest for the kids who put so much effort into building it with their teachers."
The suspect or suspects removed the SD card from a trail camera on the property preventing any video recordings, police said.
A photo of the structure accompanying the release shows what appears to be a canvas bell tent in a field.
The OPP is asking anyone with information about the incident or the individuals involved to contact the Essex County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit information online at www.catchcrooks.com