A trailer packed with valuable supplies was stolen from Marysville Gospel Hall, says church director Phil Kazen.
"It was backed in and parked right here besides the shed," Kazen said as he pointed to an empty parking spot. He described it as a 7x15-foot American Hauler that was locked up tight.
Kazen said the trailer was storing a giant tent, chairs, a platform and pulpit needed for a special gospel service scheduled on July 29.
The church has spent months preparing for the summer service with guest speakers traveling from the Midwest to attend. Kazen says 27,000 invitations were mailed out.
Then he noticed the trailer was missing after church last Sunday. "The first thought was how could this happen at this point," said Kazen.
He says a neighbor spotted two men who appeared to be gardeners in the parking lot on Saturday.
"I guess he thought they were probably doing some landscape work. Then they got in the truck and pulled away with the trailer," he said. "We just felt that we had to work through the situation, and do the best that we can."
A post about the stolen trailer went up on the church's Facebook page. Soon after, an evangelist in Canada called offering to lend his large tent. He even arranged for it to be driven from Calgary to Kazen's front yard.
"It should have all the things we need," said Kazen. "We are happy."
Marysville Police say the North County Property Crimes Task Force is investigating this case. The trailer was filled with a 40-foot by 100-foot, yellow and white striped tent along with 95 green Rubbermaid chairs, and speakers. The items were inside a 2008 American Hauler with Washington license plate 0706UT. Call Detective Tolbert at 360-363-8350 if you have any information about the stolen trailer.
