The break-in happened early Thursday at American Legion Post 424, off of Ledbetter. The post commander told WFAA police have yet to take a theft report.
DALLAS, Texas — According to American Legion Post 424 Commander Correy Fields, three thieves broke into the Post around 3 a.m. on Thursday, stealing a safe containing more than $3,000 and causing thousands of dollars in damage.
Fields, who watched security footage of the break-in at the Post located at 3940 S Ledbetter Dr., called the incident an attack on a place meant to honor and support veterans.
“Just savages. That’s the way I feel,” Fields said about the thieves. “I’ve seen them crowbar in this door right here. They came over here and kicked in the door. They destroyed about four doors — we have to replace those and door jams now.”
Surveillance footage showed the suspects kicking in multiple doors inside the facility, searching room by room, and then locating the safe and walking out with it. Fields said their intent was clear.
“They didn’t come in for anything else but the safe,” he stated. They left a laptop alone in the office and a massive new TV still in the box at the back of the bar.
The stolen money included the daily take from the Post’s canteen, funds for an upcoming Valentine’s Day dinner on Saturday, and donations intended to repave the parking lot. Fields said that members and others had donated to repair that for quite some time.
The American Legion is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. It provides a space for camaraderie, assistance with VA benefits, community service projects, and programs to help veterans transition to civilian life.
Fields also expressed frustration with the Dallas Police Department, stating that he has yet to receive a response after attempting to report the break-in via 911.
“The police are supposed to protect and serve, and they did not serve us at all,” said Fields, a 20-year Army veteran who completed a tour in Iraq. “I serve my country, and I feel like they can serve me as a citizen of Dallas.”
A DPD spokesperson told WFAA officers stopped by the post to take a report, but it was at 3 AM on Friday when no one was there. That spokesperson told WFAA it would be in contact with Fields soon.
In the meantime, Fields is urging anyone with information about the burglary to come forward. The suspects’ faces are hard to make out in the security footage, but they appear to have arrived in a small SUV or hatchback.
“You ought to feel bad even knowing they stole from us,” he said. “Give us a call and let us know.”