Brampton Guardian
http://www.northpeel.com/br/news/story/2966532p-3438212c.html

Shriners go-karts stolen

Thieves broke into a storage trailer overnight Wednesday and stole the entire fleet of 16 go-karts belonging to the Peel Shrine Club. The Shriners and their "go-kart patrol" take part in more than a dozen parades each year to help raise funds for children's hospitals

An overnight theft has left the local Shriners club without its trademark go-karts.

Thieves broke into a storage trailer Wednesday night or early Thursday morning and stole Peel Shrine Club's entire fleet of karts used to amuse and raise funds for children's hospitals. The 16 vehicles and a Suzuki all-terrain vehicle were taken from a trailer stored at JWS Waste Systems Inc. on Clarence Street.

"That's every one of them," said Shriner Bob Phillips. "Right now we're out of business."

Phillips has been a Shriner for 25 years and a member of the "go-kart patrol" for the last 10 years. The Shriners and patrol take part in more than a dozen parades each year.

Their antics entertain many youngsters in the crowd at these events and help the Shriners raise awareness and funds for children's hospitals.

"It's the kids that are going to suffer," said Phillips.

The vehicles are valued at about $40,000 and were purchased using donations, Phillips said.

Members of the local service club put a lot of time and effort into raising money for children through various activities, he added. Finding out a linchpin of those efforts has been stolen was shocking and devastating, said Phillips.

The go-karts all bear the Shriners' familiar logo. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Peel Regional Police at 905-453-2121 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).

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