A Lyons man faces several charges after authorities say he broke into the American Legion Post 479 in late August, stealing safes and causing thousands of dollars in damage.

A warrant was issued Sept. 8 for the arrest of James. E. Sells, 46, Lyons. He was arrested on Sept. 9. Sells faces charges of burglary, a Level 5 Felony, theft, a Class A Misdemeanor, and criminal mischief when the damage is between $750 and $50,000, a Class A Misdemeanor.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Greene County Circuit Court, deputies with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call on Aug. 22 from the post’s finance officer. She reported finding the back door pried open and the post’s gaming safe missing.

Deputy Travis Hasler noted damage to both the upstairs exterior door and the liquor room door. The finance officer and post commander told deputies the doors had been secured the night before. In addition to the missing safe, it was reported that about $6 in quarters was taken from the cash register.

Security footage from the business showed a man with long hair, cargo shorts, a T-shirt, and a ball cap carrying what appeared to be a pry bar and the safe out of the liquor room. Through the investigation, Sells was identified as a suspect.

On Aug. 25, Detective Sgt. Shawn Cullison and Deputy Hasler attempted to speak with Sells at his Lyons residence. Investigators observed shoes outside his home matching those seen in the video. Later that day, Sells was stopped in Lyons and agreed to speak with deputies.

During a search of his vehicle, officers found a pry bar with white paint transfer, consistent with the paint from the pried doors. Sells ultimately led officers to Lyons Park, where two small safes taken from the Legion were recovered in a wooded area.

In a subsequent interview, Sells admitted to breaking into the Legion after a night of drinking and carrying the larger of two safes to the park, where he pried them open. Later, he alleged he returned to the Legion and took the smaller safe. He told investigators he did not recall taking anything from the safes or the register, and expressed willingness to reimburse the post for its losses.

According to a probable cause affidavit, it was later reported replacement costs for the damaged doors are estimated at around $3,000.

Sells was transported to the Greene County Jail when Deputy Hasler executed the arrest warrant late on Sept. 9. A bond of $12,000 surety with 10% cash has been set for Sells.