Mesquite police seek thieves who stole $10,000 in park equipment

Mesquite police are investigating break-ins at Paschall Park that left a local nonprofit without its primary tools for community work. The thefts occurred between Friday afternoon and Monday morning, disrupting scheduled projects and leaving volunteers without essential supplies.

Keep Mesquite Beautiful Inc. estimates the value of the missing items at more than $10,000. Thieves cut the locks on two trailers to access the contents. Stolen property includes landscaping equipment, tables, chairs, tents, and general supplies used for cleanup and beautification efforts.

Jonathan Chitty, the organization's executive director, said the group has spent years accumulating this equipment. He noted that the nonprofit relies on fundraising to cover the costs of its operations. "I was devastated. I was in shock," Chitty said. "I couldn't believe that someone would come and take from a nonprofit."

The loss affects partner schools in the Mesquite Independent School District. The nonprofit supports a Green Team program that provides students with materials for campus cleanups. Victoria Lopez, a volunteer and teacher, described the theft as a major setback. "We use those grabbers, the vests, the trash bags, the gloves that they provide for us," Lopez said.

Equipment from the organization is also deployed after severe weather and for residents lacking their own tools. Lopez stated that without these resources, many local assistance efforts would not be possible. Chitty said the group is working to replace the items but hopes the suspects return what they took. "We hope that you will find it in your heart to do the right thing and bring our stuff back," Chitty said.