Botetourt Sheriff's Office investigating theft of three trailers in last month

BOTETOURT COUNTY (WSLS 10) - An investigation is underway after the Star City Soapbox Derby club had its trailer stolen, with about $15 thousand dollars worth of specialty tools inside.

The Sheriff says this is one of three trailers that have been stolen in Botetourt County this month alone.

"They didn't take from me, they took from my kids," said Del Waldron.

Waldron says when a thief came on his property and stole a trailer full of soapbox derby supplies, he didn't just take valuable tools, he took potential racing opportunities away from about 30 kids.

"If something broke on one of these cars, we had it in the trailer for them. If they needed a brake pad, it was in there, and now I have nothing," said Waldron.

Waldron says all his employees had left for the night by the time the thieves arrived after 6 o'clock Tuesday night, stealing the trailer, and everything in it.

"I don't know why people would do stuff like that. It hurts us kids a whole lot, and they don't realize how much it does," said Del's daughter Brianna.

Brianna just recently competed in the national championships for soapbox racing.

"I race in the rally races that we have all year and if we don't get those tools back, it's going to be hard for me to do that," said Brianna.

According to the Sheriff's Department, the Waldrons aren't alone.

There have been three trailer thefts this month alone.

Right now, deputies suspect a serial offender.

"The last two, it's a good possibility they could be interconnected," said Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle.

Deputies describe the truck they believe the criminals were driving that night to be a white 90's model Chevrolet Silverado with a red hood.

Del hopes deputies can track down that vehicle and return his trailer and tools.

If not, he says it will be difficult to compete nationally.