FLORIDA COMPUTER STOLEN http://www.tbnweekly.com/front_page/content_articles/060911_fpg-01.txt

Computer theft stops action at St. Pete BMX track

By JULIANA A. TORRES

Article published on Thursday, June 9, 2011

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	Photo by JIM LAYFIELD From left, Brad Spalding, 16, of Tampa; Ben Rothmann, 16, of Largo and Joe Mathis, 24, of Zephyrhills ride through the rhythm section neck and neck at the St. Pete BMX track June 4. Saturdays usually are race days at the track, but a new computer that keeps track of rider information and statistics was stolen from the office trailer sometime between May 25 and 30.

ST. PETERSBURG – The members of St. Pete BMX couldn’t race June 4, as is usual for a Saturday night.

The track’s new computer – purchased to run a program that keeps track of each rider’s information, bike number and ranking – had been stolen out of the trailer office on the property. The theft, which occurred sometime after a practice the night of May 25, wasn’t discovered until the morning of May 30 when track board member, parent and rider Tom Marsh came to mow the grass.

Marsh called St. Petersburg police after noticing the damaged building, unsure if anyone was still inside. A window on the trailer had been shattered, papers strewn around inside and the track’s new computer, purchased about two months ago, was gone. The burglar was nowhere to be found.

“We don’t have a lot of extra money to replace things,” said Sandy Cox, assistant director for the track. “It’s a setback for the kids.”

St. Pete BMX, at 10201 28th St. N. in north St. Petersburg, is a National Bicycle League-sanctioned racetrack for bicycle motocross, or BMX. The winding dirt track, contoured with jumps, berms and obstacles, is home to about 120 to 200 regular riders including children, teens and adults, said director Paula Rothmann.

“It’s just a good family sport, with fathers and sons racing together,” she added. “It’s just a shame that people would steal from a kids’ organization.”

Volunteers, mostly parents of BMX enthusiasts and often riders themselves, run the track on a tight budget collected through membership fees.

“We just volunteer for the love of the sport and the kids,” stated Rothmann, whose 13- and 16-year-old sons have been riding since they were little. “A lot of the children, they don’t like the football, baseball-type team sports. (BMX is) a good alternative sport, based on individual abilities.”

Dino and Celia Della Noce, of South Pinellas Bicycles in Gulfport, also are active members of the St. Pete BMX track.

“As soon as we heard what happened, we were just so mad,” said Celia Della Noce, who acts as head scorer for the track.

The Della Noces have three children, ages 12, 16 and 18, who all race. Like many of the other participants, Celia Della Noce said the sport fosters a family environment. Parents usually stick around during practices and get involved, especially during the state race season, which runs from November to May.

“It becomes like a big family,” she said. 

The Della Noces usually maintain a vendor booth for their bike shop during events, though some of the repairs they offer end up being donations to younger participants who may not be able to afford it.

“It’s an expensive sport,” Celia Della Noce admitted. “You feel bad if you can’t get them back out on the track.”

In Florida, BMX races slow down during the warmer weather months. During the summer, St. Pete BMX is open Mondays and Wednesdays for practice and Saturday nights for races.

Dino Della Noce has committed a cash reward to anyone with information about the theft. To submit a tip, call South Pinellas Bicycles at 327-7303. 

For more information about the track and BMX team, visit stpetebmx.com.Article published on Thursday, June 9, 2011Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved.