HOUSTON – A group of young athletes from Illinois recently journeyed to Houston for the AAU Junior Olympics, bringing home two national titles and several medals. Unfortunately, they faced a setback when their coach’s truck, along with over $50,000 worth of equipment, was stolen before their return home.
Significant Truck Theft in Humble
The incident occurred over the weekend outside a hotel on Canyon Lakes Trace, near Beltway 8 in Humble. Surveillance footage captured two men jumping a fence, disabling the alarm, and stealing a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado High Country belonging to Coach Mike Cockerham’s wife, who founded the Flying Dragons Pole Vault Club.
Cockerham recounted to FOX 26, “They broke into the truck’s computer, decoded the key fob, unlocked it, started it, and were gone — all within three minutes.” In the truck’s bed were pole-vaulting poles valued at around $46,000, excluding the specialized carrying bags.
While the athletes celebrated their achievements, including winning national titles, the theft cast a shadow over their experience. “It’s going to be really difficult,” said Cockerham. “We worked hard to get that equipment.”
The Chevrolet Silverado is notably a target for thieves in the U.S., ranking fourth on the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s list of most stolen vehicles for 2023.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are actively investigating the theft. Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to HCSO.
Source: FOX 26 spoke with the founder of the Flying Dragons Pole Vault Club and gathered insights from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
