Someone stole more than $17,300 in cash and checks after the Tacoma Highland Games on June 27.

The Tacoma Highland Games Association wants those who attended the event to know about the theft and be watchful of possibly fraudulent activity on checks they wrote to attend the games or camp on the grounds of Frontier Park in Graham.

“We just want to warn people about the fraud potential,” association president Brian Nelson told The News Tribune on Monday. “If they wrote a check to the Highland Games for gate entry or camping, call us and let us know.”

Nearly 2,000 people attended the games, which feature Highland athletes, bagpipers, drummers and dancers.

That night, the games treasurer told Pierce County sheriff’s deputies he received the money collected from entrance and camping fees. The treasurer checked the bag, which was in a cardboard box, the police report states.

He put the box in his truck and locked the door. He later discovered the bag missing and reported it stolen to the Sheriff’s Department.

The bag did not contain checks made out to the Tacoma Games Gift Shop or for clan or vendor fees. Those checks have been deposited in the bank.

Nelson said the stolen cash made up the bulk of next year’s budget for the association.

“We are going to be struggling for next year, no doubt,” Nelson said.

The association advised anyone who wrote a check for gate admission or camping to:

 • Notify their bank of the stolen check and take action to protect their account from fraud or identity theft.

 • If the check has been cleared, have the bank hold the actual check as potential evidence in the case.

 • Contact Nelson at 253-761-1397 or nelsons@harbornet.com.

No arrests have been reported in the theft.

Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268

stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com

blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime