The keys had been left inside the rental van after the props had been packed up so that a staff member could charge his phone, Singh said. He said the performers were hanging out at the bar and that the theft was discovered about 12:30 a.m. Saturday.
On the road 40 weeks a year, "Thunder" is a show that travels light, with about a half-dozen performers and two staff members. So the blokes fanned out into the night to try to locate the van. Steck said that included checking impound lots and pawnshops - in street clothes, of course.
"We had them call radio stations, we put fliers out," Steck said. "There are some dodgy neighborhoods, but they were determined to find it."
Organizers said they were less concerned about the van, a tan, rented 2008 Toyota Sienna with Georgia plates, than the costumes and merchandise inside, which Steck valued at $50,000. In addition to the custom costumes, Flannery said that dozens of calendars were taken, along with props for various performances, such as real swords for the 300-inspired Spartan number.
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the recovery of the van and its contents.
Officer Hal Dalton, a spokesman with the Annapolis Police Department, said that vehicle thefts have been a problem in the area.
"Usually, these kind of things are done by joy riders, and [the vehicles] are found in relatively short periods of time," Dalton said. Event organizers "mentioned that the pants are the tearaway type. I'm not sure how much use that may be to someone else."
justin.fenton@baltsun.com
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Annapolis police at 410-268-4141.
