Thieves steal $20,000 in tools from new Irving curling club

The DFW Curling Club lost an estimated $20,000 in equipment on Monday morning, hours after celebrating the opening of its new facility in Irving. The nonprofit club had spent years fundraising to secure the 30,000-square-foot space. Members spent months preparing the building for its launch.

Club President Brigitte Minucci stated that a member discovered the break-in on Monday. The intruder had left food scattered, papers strewn, and doors open throughout the building. Minucci said the thieves also damaged a USA National Curling trophy.

Surveillance cameras captured the intrusion starting 30 minutes after members locked up on Sunday night. The footage showed a man walking through the facility wearing merchandise from the club's pro shop. A second person joined him later. The break-in lasted several hours.

Most of the stolen value came from power tools stored in a back ice shed. These tools belonged to members who had used them to finish the facility's construction. The thieves also took an iPad, speakers, and a computer.

Minucci described the situation as a difficult turn for the group. "I joked today, I said we cried when we got on the ice, and then apparently we cried the next day, too," she said. The club relies on member funding, making the loss of tools particularly painful for the organization.

Irving police are investigating the incident. Minucci said she hopes smudged handprints on a forced door will help identify the suspects. Her primary goal is to recover the stolen tools so members can resume their work. "We need to keep moving forward and right now we can't," Minucci said.