Charity benches stolen in Lisle

Thieves in Lisle must not discriminate based on team record or number of World Series Championship rings.

Someone stole two of the village's fundraiser benches -- one painted for the Cubs and the other for the White Sox -- sometime this weekend.

"This is major," Chamber of Commerce President Tom Althoff said. "It really takes away from the charitable giving we hope to have with this program."

In its third year, the "Benches of Lisle" fundraiser organized by the Lisle Chamber of Commerce typically raises between $10,000 and $15,000 to benefit local charities, Althoff said.

The benches -- among 36 total -- were to be auctioned off at Depot Days Sept. 15.

Lisle police say they don't know who cut through a thick bicycle chain to remove them from their spot outside Gallery Trio, 2751 Maple Ave., sometime Friday night or early Saturday morning.

In the past, the benches have experienced minor vandalism, Althoff said, but were never stolen.

Gallery Trio co-owner Colleen Macomber, who helped paint the stolen benches, reported them missing.

"(I was) very, very, very disappointed," Macomber said. "This is a charity auction, and they were hoping to bring in a good amount of money for these two particular benches."

Macomber spent four hours a day for more than five weeks decorating the benches into a Cubs and White Sox design.

"They're donated; it's a donation," Macomber said. "It was very shocking when I got there and said 'Oh my God, where are they?' "

The stolen benches would likely have brought in $1,000 each, Althoff said.

"We're going to attempt to duplicate the benches if possible," he said. "Hopefully somebody has seen something."

Anyone with information regarding the theft can call the Lisle Police Department at (630) 271-4200.