On July 18, the Benson Bruins junior football team of Renton found that over 118 helmets and 50 pads were stolen from their storage sheds, throwing a wrench into their pre-season practice.

According to Bruins secretary and longtime team mom Tina Ann Leonardo, the sheds were broken into and the team’s entire football helmet inventory was stolen.

“It’s just a sad situation that someone would do this to these kids,” said Leonardo in a phone call. “Why would you hurt kids like this?”

The theft of the equipment came at an unfortunate time — the Bruins are kicking off their practice for their first jamboree on Aug. 13 and then the junior football league games are next. Without proper safety equipment, the players (ages 6 to 14) cannot practice hits or tackling.

The sheds are located in Renton at 116th Southeast and 168th Southeast streets, across from the 7-Eleven. The Bruins are asking for anyone who may have seen the football equipment being loaded into a vehicle or carried away to contact the Renton Police Department. The case number for the investigation is #23-8241.

In hopes of getting the players their equipment before the season begins, the Bruins have started a GoFundMe, as insurance will not cover equipment theft. Along with money donations, the team is asking for equipment donations because supply chain issues may make purchasing new equipment difficult.