Yellowknife (Mar 15/06) - A brazen would-be thief broke into the Yellowknife Legion just before midnight Saturday, as an event was happening in a nearby room.

Lloyd Lush, president of the Yellowknife Royal Canadian Legion, holds the tool a would-be thief left behind Saturday night after breaking into a locked room, then a locked cabinet where bingo supplies are kept. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

Legion manager Lorne Power said there was at least $1,000 damage to a locked door and cabinet, where bingo supplies were kept. "It was about 11:45 p.m. Somebody came in the back door while there was an activity going on in the clubroom," Power said.

The thief made his way through a downstairs hallway and smashed the door and lock to gain entry.

"We're doing an inventory right now to see what or if there is anything missing," Power said.

The man, who was spotted leaving the building by the Legion's cook, left behind a crowbar used to break into the room, said Lloyd Lush, president of the Legion.

Yellowknife RCMP were called and provided with a description of the man.

This is the fourth break-in for the Legion, Power said, despite extra security measures being taken in the building.

Yellowknife RCMP Const. Roxanne Dreilich said police are continuing the investigation.