The recent burglary at a popular Athens music club may have been staged, police said.

Damage to a large steel door at the 40 Watt Club was “minimal” from the incident early Friday, Athens-Clarke County police told the Athens Banner-Herald. It’s possible, according to an incident report, the burglar got into the club with a key.

“While not impossible, it would have been difficult, and/or required know-how for entry to be made on this back door,” according to the report. “I think it is also possible that someone with a key entered and committed this burglary and ‘staged’ the damage to the back door to make it look like forced entry was made.”

More than $20,000 in house equipment was stolen, said Velena Vego, a club official.

Rewards totaling $15,000 have been offered for information about the burglary, including $5,000 from Mike Mills of R.E.M.

Vego said the microphones, amplifiers and electronics that were stolen have the club’s information engraved on them.

“So I don’t know how they’re going to resell anything,” Vego said.

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