​Cottage Grove Police Investigate 500 Stolen Medals, Racist Note

COTTAGE GROVE, MN — The Cottage Grove Police Department is asking for help from the public with identifying those responsible for the theft of over 500 medals from a youth soccer tournament over the weekend. The annual "Runnin’ with the Wolves Soccer" tournament is hosted at Kingston Park in Cottage Grove.

Tournament organizers started the set up on Friday, May 12 and the medals were in a tent at the park. Police say when they returned Saturday morning, they discovered the medals were stolen. They also found a note left behind that included a racial slur, according to authorities. The medals are valued at more than $2,100, according to a news release.

The police department is reviewing surveillance video from the park and asking for the public’s help. The Cottage Grove Public Safety Board is offering a $250.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those persons responsible for the reported theft at Kingston Park.

If anyone has information on the thefts, they are asked to contact Washington County Dispatch at (651) 439-9381 and ask to speak with an officer. All information will be forwarded to our detectives. Citizens can remain anonymous.

Image via Lotzman Katzman, Flickr, used under Creative Commons