Joe LaBranche found the door ajar when he arrived Monday morning at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars clubhouse.
LaBranche said the cash register was open, the safe had “a big old hole” cut into it and there was debris strewn across the floor of the Dahlonega Hwy. building.
“It’s a mess here,” he said, adding that two laptops were also missing.
The theft depleted the VFW’s general fund, which LaBranche said goes toward helping residents in need.
“We’re all veterans. We’re here to help the community,” he said. “Somebody comes in and burglarizes and takes all our equipment and the money we had to help.”
Authorities are investigating the incident, which appeared to have occurred in the early morning hours Monday.
“A forced entry was made, the alarm system was disabled and an undetermined amount of cash was taken,” said Forsyth County Sheriff’s Capt. Frank Huggins.
Members had been at the clubhouse until late Sunday night, LaBranche said. The doors and windows were locked when they left.
LaBranche, who made the discovery about 7 a.m. Monday, said he has heard of other veterans organizations in North Georgia that have also been recent victims of theft.
The local organization will hold a poppy sale this weekend at the clubhouse to help refill its community fund.
“We need the public’s help,” LaBranche said. “We’re trying to recoup some of our losses.”
LaBranche said the cash register was open, the safe had “a big old hole” cut into it and there was debris strewn across the floor of the Dahlonega Hwy. building.
“It’s a mess here,” he said, adding that two laptops were also missing.
The theft depleted the VFW’s general fund, which LaBranche said goes toward helping residents in need.
“We’re all veterans. We’re here to help the community,” he said. “Somebody comes in and burglarizes and takes all our equipment and the money we had to help.”
Authorities are investigating the incident, which appeared to have occurred in the early morning hours Monday.
“A forced entry was made, the alarm system was disabled and an undetermined amount of cash was taken,” said Forsyth County Sheriff’s Capt. Frank Huggins.
Members had been at the clubhouse until late Sunday night, LaBranche said. The doors and windows were locked when they left.
LaBranche, who made the discovery about 7 a.m. Monday, said he has heard of other veterans organizations in North Georgia that have also been recent victims of theft.
The local organization will hold a poppy sale this weekend at the clubhouse to help refill its community fund.
“We need the public’s help,” LaBranche said. “We’re trying to recoup some of our losses.”