Penticton and South Okanagan

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 40 in Penticton relies on whatever money comes in to keep the facility on Martin Street running.

So the theft of $1,200 from the bar safe this week has come as a blow.

“It was a good sum of money from somewhere that doesn’t have much to start with, so it does create a hardship for the legion,” said president Murray Grandy.

Grandy says when he arrived at the building Tuesday morning, he learned from the bartender and office clerk that someone had opened up the safe and taken the money the night before.

The front door was open when the clerk came in that morning, which was also unusual. She did a search of the facility, but no one was there.

But the person who took the money is likely someone who had access to the room and knew the combination to the safe in order to open it, said Grandy.

It will take a while to raise $1,200, but the legion president said they have volunteers who can help them get by.
In addition, they have changed all the locks, so only a limited number of people can get in.

Sgt. Rick Dellebuur with the Penticton RCMP said the theft was reported on Tuesday morning and it does not appear to be forced entry.

The RCMP are continuing with their investigation, he said.