TONASKET – A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the vandal or vandals who damaged property at the Tonasket American Legion and the Smith and Nelson Warehouse.

Jeff Bergh with the Legion said they are offering $500 and Smith and Nelson is matching the $500 reward if the information leads to the arrest and conviction, not just the arrest, of the person or persons who committed these crimes.

“They got into the backyard, burnt the American, Canadian and Prisoner of War flags, busted the bird feeder and potted flowers, dumped trash, ripped the outside phone connection, ripped the flag light fixtures off the wall and did a nasty on the picnic table outside,” Bergh said.

Tonasket Police Chief Robert Burks said on the night of Saturday, Aug. 22, the vandals also broke into the Smith and Nelson warehouse on Western Ave. where they took some tools and some computer towers.

“We’re mad, especially about burning the flags,” Bergh said. “IF it is the same group going around, they need to be stopped.”

Burks said in the early morning hours of Monday, Aug. 31, the American and POW replacement flags at the Legion were stolen.

“We have two or three names right now and it’s just a matter of gathering more information,” Burks added. He said there may be an arrest soon.

Burks added that a juvenile was arrested for spray-painting a car last weekend; however they do not believe he is connected with the recent graffiti around town or with the vandalism. The police department is still investigating this incident, however.