Items from skatepark robbery showing up in pawn shops across U.S.

Nov. 6—By CHRIS PETERSON

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls Police Department has tracked down some of the items stolen from a robbery at the construction site at the Columbia Falls Skateboard Park, but hasn't nabbed any suspects yet, police chief Chad Stephens told Columbia Falls city council Monday night.

He said the items have been found in pawn shops across the country as police can track the stolen items by their serial number.

About $35,000 in tools were stolen from the site the night of Oct. 21, even down to the padlock and the chains.

The Bad Rock Skate Park Association and contractor Dreamland Skate Parks is offering is offering a combined $1,000 reward in the case.

The skateboard park is being constructed by Dreamland in cooperation with the city.

The nearly $700,000 project has been funded by private donations, in-kind city help and a $330,000 federal Land, Water and Conservation grant.

In addition, the Church Women United have donated $50,000 toward a bathroom at the park.

That funding came from the recent sale of the Klothes Kloset, which the organization owned for years.

Formed in 2021, the Bad Rock Skate Park Association, a local group of boarders and their families, had already raised about $400,000 toward the project.

The project could be largely completed by December if the weather holds, council noted on Monday.