This weekend we are celebrating our nation's independence, and the people who fight to preserve our freedoms, our veterans.
The American Legion Post 1 has plans to ring in the Fourth with a bang, but in a very un-patriotic move, some burglars raided their savings early Friday morning.
The alarm went off at about 5:30 A.M. Friday morning at the American Legion. Police were on the scene in about 15 minutes, but the crooks were already gone..
"You can see where all of this stuff is broken and spilled, they pulled the safe out and brought it over there," said Linda Deutser, the administrative assistant with Post 1.
For the Fourth festivities, Legion officials added some extra cash to the safe on Thursday night, but before their 'All American Weekend' could begin, someone broke in and made off with the money.
"They knew where the safe was kept in that closet, and it was sealed in, they had to pry it out of there," said Deutser.
Police agree, they say at least a couple of people were needed to do the job, and they believe they were familiar with the legion.
Legion officials are not looking to their members as suspects, but they are hoping a member may be able to help crack the case.
"We struggle to make it anyway what funds we do raise they go right back to the veterans," said Deutser.
Post 1 is not going to let this stop them from celebrating this weekend. For the rest of the Friday they will be picking up the pieces and getting the Legion ready.
"It'll be tough, we'll call everybody and see if we can't put it back together, and get the place cleaned up and back to operational," said Deutser.
Police have pulled one finger print from the safe they hope will lead them to the suspects.
If anyone has any information you are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 596-COPS.
