HOULTON – Police are investigating a weekend burglary at the American Legion Hall on Bangor Street that netted thieves about $1,200.

Jim Burton, finance and service officer for Post No. 47, said Monday that he discovered the break-in around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. Sunday.

He said the building was apparently broken into through a side door. Burton said the door was locked with a padlock and sliding deadbolt at the time of the burglary.

A storage area near the bar where a cash box was kept also was padlocked, he said. Only the money was taken, Burton said. Beer and other alcoholic beverages were not disturbed.

They were just after the money, he said.

Burton surmised that the person or persons who broke into the hall either removed the locks with a torch or heavy-duty bolt cutters, or had a key. The locks have not been found.

Burton said the building was locked by the bartender at approximately 8 p.m. Saturday. He said that the bartender told him the few people there at closing time all left using the front door.

In addition to the cash, Burton estimated that another $1,500 to $1,800 of damage was done to the building, including exterior and interior doors and locks.

They did an awful number on it, he said.

Houlton police were notified of the burglary shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday. Officer Carolyn Crandall is conducting the investigation. No other details were available on Monday, according to police Chief Darrell Malone.