Rackets taken from locker room


By Jennifer Amsler
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Friday, April 1, 2005

Ten tennis rackets and a bicycle were stolen from the UA tennis team's locker room sometime over the weekend, authorities said.

The women on the tennis team went into the Robson Tennis Center locker room, 902 N. Martin Ave., for practice Monday at 7:30 a.m. and noticed their lockers were open and rackets were missing from each one, said Brian Ramirez, assistant coach of the women tennis team.

Ramirez said the women use the same rackets for practice and games, so they were left without any equipment to use.

The rackets and bike were last seen late Saturday afternoon, he said.

The doors to the locker room can only be accessed with a key or combination code, Ramirez said. The doors lock each time they shut and were the only way to enter the room, reports stated.

Police found no signs of forced entry, according to University of Arizona Police Department reports.

Ramirez and the women on the team do not know who could have taken the rackets and bicycle. After a former McKale Center employee was arrested and charged with theft of athletic items two weeks ago, Ramirez said it is difficult to narrow down suspects.

"Literally, it could be anyone," Ramirez said.

Police have no witnesses or suspects, reports stated.

Sgt. Eugene Mejia, UAPD spokesman, said crime investigations reach dead ends without any evidence or anyone witnessing any suspicious activity.

"It's difficult if you have nothing to process at the scene," he said.

Police closed the case because they had no leads, but Mejia said if a witness comes forward with information about the theft, the case could be re-opened.