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Burglary Puts Damper On Chamberlain's Undefeated Season

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By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 30, 2008

TAMPA - Last Friday night was a moment of celebration and anger for the Chamberlain High football team.

The Chiefs clinched a district title and playoff berth after defeating rival Alonso, 35-21, to improve to 8-0 on the season. However, after returning from Alonso that night, the players and coaches walked into their locker room to discover it had been burglarized. Unknown suspects had forced their way into the facility, located on the campus at 9401 North Blvd. in Tampa, and broke the individual locks on the player's equipment lockers to steal cash, cell phones, jewelry, IPods, clothes, shoes, and car keys for one player's 1995 Chevy Caprice, which was also taken. The players had dressed at the locker room before traveling to Alonso.

According to a Tampa Police Department report, between 5:30 and 11 p.m. on Friday, unknown suspect or suspects entered the locker room and forcibly entered the player's personal equipment lockers. The owner of the vehicle, senior lineman Danny Major, left his car keys inside his locker. The car was parked in the east parking lot next to the locker room. Chamberlain assistant coach Brian Turner said Major owned an expensive stereo system.

According to the police report, the lockers were entered by using bolt cutters to cut the padlocks. This past summer, players and coaches spent days cleaning and renovating the locker room.

Turner estimated $10-15,000 worth of property was taken.

"Sentimental stuff was taken," Turner said. "It's not like these kids can go and get a new phone just like that. That put a damper on our season."

Head coach Billy Turner, now in his 30th season at Chamberlain, said the event "ruined the night."

"They were so upset, some of the kids were crying," Brian Turner said.

Brian Turner and Chamberlain principal Jeff Boldt believe the suspects were familiar with the facility.

"The power was shut off," Turner said.

"We've had break-ins, but nothing like this," Boldt said. "They had to have knowledge of the locker room. That's what makes it so frustrating. The kids work hard and the parents work hard to get these kinds of items. The things they lost were personal property."

Boldt also said the night custodial crew was working at the time of the burglary.

On Monday, Boldt made an announcement to the student body that anyone with information about the burglary would receive a cash reward.

"We'll find out who did it," Boldt said.

In the meantime, Boldt said all of the locks at the facility have been changed and he will attempt to have surveillance cameras installed.

Chamberlain will play at Plant (6-1) on Friday.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848

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