Thieves strike Filling Station

CLARK FORK — The Filling Station youth center is smarting after somebody broke in over the weekend and made off an assortment of electronics, computers and other property.

The nonprofit Filling Station on First Avenue provides a safe place for kids from Bonner County and northwestern Montana.

“We really want to find out who did this. There’s so many victims involved with this,” said Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler.

The break-in occurred either late Friday night or early Saturday morning, said Filling Station cofounder Mark Rocha. Thieves made off with a 50-inch plasma screen television, a Wii video game console, a surround sound system and computers, including two new iMacs.

The thefts also knocked out the Filling Station’s free wireless network. Thieves also stole food, soft drinks and a donation jar to help support a young Clark Fork woman who is putting her midwifery education to work in Manila, Philippines.

“They cleaned that out, too,” said Rocha.

The thieves also damaged locks within the building in an attempt to gain access to other rooms in the Filling Station.

Rocha said the Filling Station’s board recently considered whether to install a security system, but opted to put money toward its programs, including scholarships for students.

Rocha anticipates the board will revisit the matter of security.

“If we don’t do something about it, it’s probably going to happen again,” he said.

The idea for the Filling Station took root in 1996 and construction of the $1.6 million facility commenced the following year. Mark Rocha and his wife, Penny, wanted there to be a place for kids in hopes of steering them away from alcohol and drug abuse.

Sweat equity and donations big and small turned the idea into reality. Members of the community helped hang drywall and pound nails, and kids have dug into their own pockets to kick in donations.

Rocha said a hardwood-floored gym has been completed and they are about to put the finishing touches on the Filling Station’s commercial kitchen, a facility which is used to cook free community meals every other month and can be utilized by young entrepreneurs.

The Filling Station has no administrative overhead or salaries, nor does it incur debt to sustain its operations. Rocha said the thefts hurt area kids more than anyone else.

“It’s stealing out of their pockets,” said Rocha.

• Those with information about the thefts are urged to call the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office at 263-8417.