WOLLONGONG Police are investigating alleged theft of property from the Illawarra Hawks office as former owner Simon Stratford's messy exit from the club intensifies.
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In a statement on Thursday, Wollongong Police confirmed it had received a report that items had been taken from the office in the fortnight after Stratford placed the club into voluntary administration.
"An investigation is underway after a business was broken into on Foleys Road, Gwynneville last month," the Police statement read.
"Police have been told between 8.30am on Thursday 2 April 2020 and 9.30am on Thursday 16 April 2020, electronic items were stolen from the business.
"Officers from Wollongong Police District are currently investigating the matter and, as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further."
It comes amid a dispute with the Illawarra Basketball Association over the ownership of various items of memorabilia - including the 2001 NBL championship trophy.
The IBA claim that on April 28 Stratford removed the items from a shared board room into the Hawks office and subsequently changed the locks.
In a series of tweets on Wednesday night, Stratford claimed his actions were in response to "months of stolen company assets" and that police will "find the real thief's [sic]."
Quizzed further on whether he had reported the matter to police and could detail what was stolen, Stratford responded: "You are correct, can't say at this time, all will be told."
Changing the locks was a breach of the Hawks license to use IBA-owned office space, prompting the Association to to retrieve the items and notify administrators.
A meeting with Stratford and administrators on Wednesday determined the memorabilia will remain in the IBA boardroom while the administration process plays out.
Administrators removed other assets from the Hawks now vacated office on Wednesday and will carry out a full inventory as part of the administration process.
It's understood the claim has incensed former staff who had their employment contracts terminated when Stratford placed the club into voluntary administration.
The NBL has since taken possession of the Hawks license and is considering a number of bids from potential new owners.
The league has also re-appointed former general manager Mat Campbell on an interim basis until ownership of the club is settled.
