Gilroy Police detectives are actively investigating the theft of 1,000 Gilroy Garlic Festival tickets that are valued at $12,500, according to police spokesperson Sgt. Chad Gallacinao.
Gallacinao said approximately 500 adult tickets priced at $17 each, and 500 child and senior tickets, priced at $8 each, intended to be used this weekend for the worldwide popular event running July 27-29 at Christmas Hill Park.
The tickets are believed to have been taken sometime between June 5 and July 2, and were reported missing by the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association on July 12.
The tickets were reportedly stolen from the association’s office located at 7473 Monterey Road, according to a police report, and the department is aware that some of the stolen tickets have been sold through Internet websites.
According to its website, the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association raises a substantial amount of money every year that is then disbursed to several nonprofit organizations in the Gilroy community. The festival has raised roughly $9.3 million over its 33-year history.
According to a police report, the adult tickets are numbered 050001 through 050500, and the child and senior tickets are labeled 100001 through 100500. Gallacinao said the stolen tickets will not be accepted at the entrance gates and persons using them will be detained.
The investigation is ongoing, and the department urges anyone who believes they have purchased a stolen ticket to call (408) 846-0350. Parties wishing to remain anonymous may call We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 (1-800-78-CRIME).
