HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- A local mother said her son's expensive shoes were stolen at the Henrico trampoline arena Jumpology and now she wants to see changes made.
The mother, who asked CBS 6 not to reveal her identity, said it was troubling that some nonpaying kids snuck in last Friday and helped themselves to free entertainment at the trampoline park.
She said when they were caught and asked to leave, no one from Jumpology escorted them out.
She said that why the teens were able to swipe Jordan’s belonging to her son and his friend, valued at more than $400.
“You just kind of wander around the area and go to the cubbie and treat it like it's a Foot Locker and you start shopping and wrapping things up,” the mom said. “It's really bizarre that all of this could happen in the face of the entire staff.”
The company's GM told CBS 6 News by phone that making Jumpology a safe and fun environment is a top priority for them.
He said in the past, the company did rely on an outside security company to oversee the venue, but since there were very few incidents they moved away from that option. He did say they had some problems in the past with kids sneaking in.
He said that day, Jumpology was adequately staffed and a team member was serving as security. He called the thefts ‘unfortunate’ and reminded customers that lockers are available to secure items.
Jumpology cubbies
The mother admitted her son and his friends didn't use the available lockers. Instead they, like many others used open cubbies to place their items.
Mom said a shift manager told her their surveillance video captured the teens wrapping the stolen shoes inside of a sweatshirt.
Now she's hoping Jumpology will consider going back to a full time security officer instead of relying on a staff person for security needs.
“I just want them to make sure they do all they can and do their due diligence,” she said. “I'm not asking them to be security or swat and chase people out… I just want to make sure the kids are safe.”
The GM said they have not made a decision on if they will go back to the outside security firm, but he said they will revisit some training for their staff as it relates to escorting people out of the facility.
