Cub Scout father’s stolen truck found; youngster reimbursed

A Cub Scout story with a sad beginning has ended well for 7-year-old Westin Barnes and his father.

Cub Scout leader Matt Barnes of Fort Worth said his Chevrolet Silverado, stolen April 9 along with about $600 in Cub Scout money, was found near a west Dallas hotel a few days ago.

The 2006 truck had a few dings, scratches, new seats and a damaged passenger window but still runs great, Barnes said Wednesday in an email.

“Surprisingly, the seats were the only other things missing,” Barnes said. “The response of our communities, be it family, Scouts or North Texas and beyond, has touched the four of us very deeply.”

After the news of the theft broke, North Texans opened their hearts and wallets, more than covering the missing amount. Donations came to the Barnes family, and a gofund.me account raised more than $3,000. That account has closed.

Barnes said the extra money will go to Cub Scout Pack 88 for camping gear, cooking supplies and other Cub Scout items. They will go to a Texas summer camp this year.

Westin and another Cub Scout had raised the money by selling Camp Cards at $5 apiece for three hours the morning of the theft. The truck was taken near a Kroger store in the 900 block of Keller Parkway in Keller on April 9.

Barnes has said his son and another Cub Scout had finished for the day, and everyone was packing. He put a black money box inside his Silverado and parked it near the store.

Then he left the diesel truck running and walked near the store to retrieve tables. He briefly talked to a Cub Scout mother, and when he turned around the truck and money were gone.

Keller police said Thursday that no one has been arrested.

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Cub Scout father’s stolen truck found; youngster reimbursed."