The Manteca Police Department is currently looking for a suspect that witnesses say grabbed the cash box from the concession stand at the Lincoln Elementary School boys basketball game Wednesday night and fled the area.

According to an eyewitness that indicated she was leaving the building at the time that incident occurred, a black male wearing a dark colored hoodie and described as being 5-foot, 10-inches tall and weighing approximately 350 pounds  approached the concession stand table and grabbed the cash box before fleeing the gymnasium.

The witness’ 67-year-old husband gave chase to the getaway vehicle – described by police as a white Dodge SUV – in the parking lot and was able to punch the window before it headed out of the parking lot down Powers Avenue towards Moffat Boulevard. T

he man believed to have grabbed the money was a passenger in the vehicle – no information about the driver of the SUV was reported to authorities.

To deter thieves some school districts in the area have resorted to using online-only ticketing for sporting events – eliminating the need to take cash at the door. While the online ticketing system eliminates the possibility of theft, the school receives less money out of the door take to pay for the cost of using the digital system.

Anybody with information about the vehicle or the person who may have grabbed the cash box is encouraged to contact the Manteca Police Department at 209.456.8101.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.