Stolen Robodawgs truck recovered

GRANDVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - The truck that was hauling a trailer filled with the Grandville High School robotics team's extra parts and luggage when it was stolen has been recovered by Canadian authorities.

The trailer contained about $40,000 in Robodawgs gear when it was stolen March 6 in Toronto. Among the stolen items were eight laptops and four control systems valued at $1,500 to $2,500 each. The trailer and gear has not been recovered.

But the truck itself was found and one person is in the custody of Toronto police, according to team coach Doug Hepfer.

Hepfer said that Toronto authorities don't think the person driving the truck when it was recovered is the same person who stole it.

Despite being without some equipment, the team advanced to the semi-finals of the Toronto tournament.

The Robodawgs annual silent auction was held Thursday evening at Grandville Robotics and Engineering Center. Prior to the event, Hepfer said he expected the auction to be double the size of any previous events.

Hepfer said over 200 companies have donated items for the auction and that the outpouring of support since the team has returned has been remarkable.

The auction is the team's biggest fundraiser of the year and last year brought in $10,000.