DONIPHAN COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Doniphan County continue to investigate a Veterans Day burglary at an American Legion post and a reward is being offered.

The Wathena American Legion was found broken into and burglarized Friday morning, according to Wathena Chief of Police Jason Pendleton.

The post is offering a cash reward of $1,500 for the return of items or the prosecution of those responsible, according to Duston Hansen with the organization.

“Early Friday morning, members stopped at the Legion, 304, North 4th, to pick up flowers to put in the cemetery and that’s when they noticed the damage,” Pendleton said.

The door was broken, photos of WWI veterans were stolen, as well as a clock and some larger photos were taken from off the wall.

“It was mostly photos from what I understand,” Pendleton said.
“They threw some mail around and of course the damage they did to the door was significant. I don’t know if they were looking for anything in particular but they were looking through everything to see what they could find.”

Pendleton said the break-in is believed to have taken place sometime late Thursday night to early Friday morning.
“It’s a disgrace and to believe that somebody would do that on Veteran’s Day is heartbreaking,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Wathena Police Department at (785) 989-4521 or the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Office at (785) 985-3711.