The Summerland Legion.

(DAN WALTON / iNFOnews.ca)

The Summerland Legion was burglarized Remembrance Day night.

All of the money raised yesterday, Nov. 11, was lost – money that was supposed to benefit local veterans.

“Donation monies were stolen, our surveillance system was tampered with, the ATM was broken into and all funds stolen, our side door was broken beyond repair,” reads a post on the Summerland Legion’s Facebook page.

“All this was done by person or persons who are heartless. They knew what they were doing.”

Legion vice president Patrick Macguire said it feels insulting, and like a violation to get robbed on Remembrance Day.

Macguire calls the culprit the "Grinch of Remembrance Day."

“To steal from the legion on Remembrance Day – Remembrance Day donations are for our veterans, and they come in and steal that – that’s the lowest anybody could get,” he said.

The theft happened at some point between 9:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. Nov. 11 to 12.

RCMP Const. Patty Evans was at the Summerland Legion yesterday around lunchtime.

“The place was full – every seat was taken,” Evans said. “People coming and going continuously.”

Police received a call from staff at the legion about the incident at 9:45 a.m. today, Nov. 12, she said.

Evans suspects the culprit or culprits became familiar with the inside of the building before the robbery.

“The way the entry was gained and how they acted inside the building leads me to believe the person had some knowledge of where they were going. The building was secured, there was an alarm and video system, but unfortunately they were able to defeat all that.”

A jar containing around $500 was stolen, she said. It is not yet known how much cash was stolen from the ATM. A "fair amount of damage" was also caused.

“For it to happen specifically the night after a very big event at the legion, I believe the date was chosen on purpose,” Evans said.

The RCMP is asking any neighbouring properties with surveillance systems to see if anything suspicious was recorded last night. Any tips from the public are also welcome. The Summerland detachment can be called at 250-494-7416.

The cash from this ATM was stolen from the Summerland Legion the night after Remembrance Day.

(DAN WALTON / iNFOnews.ca)

— Story updated at 4:55 p.m. with photos and additional comments.

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