Thieves take grill used for fundraisers in Merced area

Members of a social club in south Merced said an industrial-sized barbecue used for nonprofit work was recently stolen from their property, and they’re asking for the public’s help to get it back.

The roughly 6-by-10-foot black cast-iron grill was hauled off from a fenced area behind Club Mercedes sometime between 4 p.m. last Saturdayand 6 a.m. Sunday, according to Merced police Lt. Jay Struble.

“They broke the chain off and broke part of the hinges,” club member Dave Contreras, 63, said Thursday.

The huge grill on wheels, which is about the size of a parking space, is actually owned by the Tri-City Football Bulldogs, a youth football program that serves Planada, Plainsburg and Le Grand. The team and the club share it for cookout fundraisers and other events to benefit the communities.

Club Mercedes raises money for six educational scholarships is passes out every year. The club also occasionally cooks pregame meals for youth or high school football players, said Les Contreras, 65, another member.

The grill is a good way to cook large amounts of chicken or ribs at once, club members said.

Contreras said he felt especially bad for the children it benefits.

“It was really disheartening,” he said. “We feel terrible about it.”

Members said they have a good relationship with their neighbors, and none of the nearby residents reported hearing anything that night.

They’re hoping somebody will notice a person with a new massive grill, they said, or they’re asking whoever took it to return it, “no questions asked.”

Club Mercedes at 569 W. Ninth St. was established in south Merced in 1947 as a social club that allowed Latinos to join at a time when other groups discriminated against them.

Its members have been involved in philanthropy for decades. In turn, they’re asking for help from the community to find the barbecue.

This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 3:22 PM with the headline "Thieves take grill used for fundraisers in Merced area."