Former youth baseball coach arrested for stealing from Minooka Baseball, Softball Assoc.

A former youth baseball coach and treasurer for the Minooka Rivercats, or Minooka Baseball and Softball Association, was arrested Thursday for stealing from the organization.

Jeffery Pfeiffer has been charged with stealing between $5,000 and $10,000 from the Minooka Baseball and Softball Association, according to a news release from the Minooka Police Department.

The league's current president and treasurer conducted an internal audit in 2016, which found discrepancies in the organization's finances, the release stated. The president reported the issue to Minooka police, who began an investigation.

"This is an unfortunate incident, as Mr. Pfeiffer broke the trust that was given to him for his own personal gain," Minooka Police Chief Justin Meyer said in the release. "I feel bad for the families, sponsors and the association, who put the time and effort to raise money to support the young athletes in this community."

Meyer said he is a volunteer coach himself.

"We are supposed to be role models to the young athletes, and, not only teach them about the fundamentals and sportsmanship of a sport, but also teach them to be good members of the community," Meyer said.