Published: April 09, 2008 02:08 pm            

Elks Lodge burglarized

More than $10,000 taken during break-in Sunday at local lodge, police report

By PAUL LORENZ

paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com

McLEANSBORO — Someone took more than $10,000 cash from the local Elks Lodge during a break-in Sunday, a police department spokesman said.

The burglary at the McLeansboro Elks Lodge, on North Jackson Street, apparently took place between about 12:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday, when it was discovered, a city police report said.

In addition to the $10,000, an additional undetermined amount of money was taken from electronic video machines at the lodge, Police Sgt. Jason Craddock said.

An Elks Lodge officer went into the lodge about 12:30 p.m. Sunday and found that “things were a mess,” Craddock’s report said.

Police found a door on the north side of the building pried open and evidence of attempted entry through a west door and an attic vent, the police report said. Also, a phone line on the east side of the building had been cut in an effort to disable the alarm, the report said.

On Saturday night, the Country Crusaders Relay for Life team held a dance at the Elks Lodge, raising $1,019 for the American Cancer Society, team captain Carol Gidcumb said. That money was not on the premises when the burglary took place, Gidcumb confirmed Wednesday morning.

The amount of damage done during the break-in is still to be determined, Craddock said.

The case is still under investigation, he said Tuesday night.

Hamilton County Chief Deputy Will Sandusky assisted with the initial burglary investigation. Illinois State Police processed the crime scene.

        

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