A collection of automobile thefts this week has tainted a world AAA hockey match on the Pierrefonds Sportsplexe.
Groups with a few of the finest 12-year-old hockey gamers on this planet have travelled to Montreal from throughout North America and elements of Europe to compete.
“It is an important match for this age bracket. The competitors is nice,” stated Roberto Gomez, ambassador for the Triple Crown Conflict Tremendous Collection.
4 automobiles have been stolen on Wednesday and Thursday exterior the sector.
Mum or dad Joe Meyer stated he parked the automobile round 4 p.m., and once they left the rink at 7 p.m., it was gone.
“I went search for the automobile, realized the automobile wasn’t there, noticed a bunch of glass on the bottom, and assumed it was stolen,” he stated.
All the automobiles had U.S. licence plates.
“You understand, sadly, it’s what it’s. I simply have three youngsters, attempting to determine the best way to get house, again over the border and get to and from the rink and lodge,” stated dad or mum J.T. Caiazza.
Caiazza stated his insurance coverage firm will not cowl the price of a rental till he’s again in the USA.
For now, his household of 5 is counting on different households for lifts to the match.
Organizers stated the ordeal has given the match a black eye.
“We have truly had some suggestions saying that groups will not be wanting to return to Montreal due to this. It isn’t an remoted occasion,” stated Gomez.
The world’s common supervisor stated an analogous incident occurred just a few weeks in the past throughout one other occasion.
Whereas there are safety cameras within the parking zone, they do not present full protection and did not catch the thefts.
In response to the automobile thefts, the match organizers have taken speedy motion. The rear exit of the parking zone, the place the thefts occurred, has been closed off. Moreover, non-public safety has been employed.
Mockingly, there’s a police station subsequent door to the sector — a patrol automobile is now parked exterior.
“We admire the cooperation that the rink is placing collectively. And we’re going to have coaches and fogeys be extra vigilant and simply maintain an eye fixed out,” stated Gomez.
Caiazza stated he nonetheless has no thought the best way to get his household house to New Jersey.
“When you might get away with it, you simply go and do it. So I am not stunned about something anymore. These are the instances we reside in. Sadly, nobody cares about something,” he stated.
The match runs till Sunday.
