Irving Curling Club Hit by Theft

The DFW Curling Club in Irving secured its own facility after years of fundraising, but the milestone was interrupted by a break-in that occurred on the very night of the club's grand opening.

Members locked up the 30,000-square-foot building Sunday evening. Just 30 minutes later, surveillance cameras recorded an intruder on the porch. The intrusion lasted several hours before the building was found disturbed.

The estimated financial loss is $20,000. Club President Brigitte Minucci stated that the majority of this amount covers power tools owned by members. These tools were essential for the months of preparation work done to ready the space for use. Thieves also took an iPad, speakers, and a computer.

A member discovered the signs of the break-in on Monday morning. Doors were left open, and food, papers, and gloves were scattered across the floor. The back ice shed, where the tools were stored, was ransacked. A club trophy was also damaged during the incident.

Footage from security cameras shows a man walking through the facility. He was wearing merchandise from the club's pro shop. Another individual joined him later in the sequence. Minucci noted that the thieves forced open a door, leaving smudged handprints on the surface.

Minucci described the situation as an emotional shift from celebration to distress. She recalled the members crying with joy when they first stepped on the ice, only to cry again the following day. She said, “This is our USA National Curling trophy and they broke it.”

Irving police are currently investigating the case. Minucci hopes the handprints and other evidence will help identify the suspects. Her primary focus remains recovering the stolen tools so members can resume their work. She stated, “We need to keep moving forward and right now we can't.”