Mystery Unveiled: The Great Thunderbird Farms Belt Buckle Heist

Thunderbird Farms Arena, operated by the Thunderbird Arena Community Council, was the target of a robbery that occurred between Sunday night and Tuesday morning. In this incident, several valuable items were stolen, including PA systems, LED arena lights, an LED timer board, a collection of custom belt buckles, trophy bracelets, and various awards intended for young participants in local rodeo events.

Jennifer Faunce, the president of TACC, expressed her shock regarding the theft. “We’ve never had a problem in that facility since I’ve been around,” she remarked, acknowledging a recent uptick in local thefts. The items taken were not just ordinary prizes; they were custom-made for children, highlighting the thief’s disregard for the community’s values. “They can pawn it, but nobody wants to buy a buckle. They want to earn it,” she added.

The nonprofit organization filed a police report with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, which has since been commented on by InMaricopa. Faunce estimates the total value of the stolen items at approximately $10,000. An upcoming event at the arena did not have to be canceled, thanks to a local supporter who lent a PA system.

In response to the theft, TACC is actively fundraising to recover the lost awards. “It takes a long time for such a little club to accumulate those funds for that kind of stuff,” Faunce explained, emphasizing the importance of these awards for motivated young participants. The Thunderbird Farms Arena, located unincorporated in Maricopa since 2012, serves as a vital venue for both western and non-equine events, including shooting and ATV racing.

Faunce remains hopeful that the sheriff’s office will track down the burglar and recover the stolen items, although she acknowledges the slim chances of success. “That’s why we set up the GoFundMe,” she noted, urging the community to pitch in. “We hope that people from the community are willing to help so that we’re not strapped at the end of the year without having awards for these kids that work their butts off.” This collective effort aims to mitigate the impact of the theft and restore the arena’s offerings for its young competitors.