FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement from Salpi Der Stepanian, President of the Board of Directors of the Arlington-Belmont Crew Team, on the May 17, 2025 Theft Incident
On the evening of May 17, a truck and trailer containing most of the racing shells and equipment belonging to the Arlington-Belmont Crew Team was stolen from our facility in Arlington and driven recklessly into Cambridge and Belmont. The suspect’s actions caused damage to several other vehicles and destroyed most, if not all, of the 11 boats on the trailer.
Following our normal practice, the truck and trailer were parked at our secluded facility near Spy Pond in Arlington after returning from a regatta that evening. The trailer was to be unloaded by team members at their practice on Monday. Shortly after the trailer was parked, the suspect stole the truck, with the trailer attached, and drove it up a wooded embankment and onto the Minuteman Bike Path before turning onto public streets in Cambridge and Belmont. The trailer ultimately flipped, and the truck was stopped in Belmont by the police. We understand that the individual responsible has been apprehended.
We extend our thanks to the Arlington, Belmont, and Cambridge Police Departments and all agencies involved for their swift response in stopping the vehicle and for their continuing assistance. We are working with the police in their investigation to determine exactly how this terrible incident occurred. We extend our sympathies to anyone affected by this event, including property owners, drivers, pedestrians, and other members of the Arlington, Belmont, and Cambridge communities.
The loss of our team’s rowing shells will have a devastating effect on the AB Crew program, which is home to 80 young rowers in Arlington and Belmont. Our organization is working to assess the impact and determine how it will affect the future of the program.
For media inquiries, please contact Salpi Der Stepanian, Board President, Arlington-Belmont Crew, at [email protected].
To support our recovery efforts, please visit our official fundraising page at https://abcrewteam.org/fundraising/
