Parents working to replace team's stolen trailer

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Parents are trying to raise money to replace a stolen trailer that was used by a Gwinnett County wheelchair basketball team.

“It had like flames all around it and it had silhouettes of children playing in the chairs and everything. It was very unique,” parent Mike Phillips said.

And that's why leaders of the Gwinnett Heat wheelchair basketball team believe whoever took their trailer in late December should have known who their crime would affect.

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“It's hard for us, because without our trailer we can't carry our equipment, especially our chairs which is most important for our game,” player Derek Claros told Channel 2’s Tony Thomas.

But Derek and his teammates play on. Parents with larger vehicles are stepping in, helping everyone haul the sports wheelchairs and equipment to practices and games.

“It was just a whole lot easier when we had the trailer because we could load everything up and take a couple extra chairs if we needed them.

Officials say the hauler was stolen sometime over Christmas break. It was parked behind Hull Middle School.

Parents launched a GoFundMe page, trying to raise the $10,000 to replace the missing trailer.

They are about a third the way there.

School police are using surveillance video and other clue's to try and track down the thieves.

Derek told Thomas while it's a setback, it won't keep him or his team sidelined.

“This is what I love to do, this is my family,” Derek said.

Team managers say the trailer was locked. They thought it was secure, but the thieves were able to pull it away anyway.

On the bright side, no equipment was inside at the time.

Cox Media Group