The Galesburg Police Department is investigating a series of break-ins at the Elks Lodge at 16-40 North Henderson Street in Galesburg. Earlier this year, on January 15th, the AFL-CIO Trades and Labor Hall which shares a building with the Elks Lodge suffered a break-in and was heavily trashed vandalized. This was the third break-in at the Elks Lodge in less than a month. Sometime between Thursday, August 12th, and Friday, August 13th last week, someone gained entry to the Elks Lodge through a window and stole around $460 in cash. Another break-in occurred the following night, but nothing appeared to be missing. It appeared to investigating officers that thieves attempted to gain access to the Lodge’s safe but weren’t successful during each break-in. Cash was taken from a vinyl bank bag as well as from a coffee can that sits on top of the bar, according to police reports. Thieves also attempted to gain entry to the Union Hall by punching through the drywall of a shared wall – but was unsuccessful. GPD believes the three break-ins are related and the investigation is ongoing.
