Thieves Walk Off With Memorabilia From Yogi Berra Museum
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- These thieves belong in the Hall of Shame.
The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center is missing a number of valuable artifacts following a break-in on Tuesday night.
Red crime scene tape on front door of @Yogi_Museum after last nites break-in; @peterhaskell880 on scene; @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/fPzVwRmWi8
— Tom Kaminski (@TomKaminskiWCBS) October 8, 2014
"We are saddened to learn of a break-in at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center," museum director Dave Kaplan said in a statement. "We are cooperating fully with the Montclair State University Police Department and other county, state and federal agencies that are assisting with this investigation."
The museum was worked over by "a team of professionals" set on pilfering "specific" items, the New York Daily News reported.
The thieves may have gained entry to the museum via the connecting Yogi Berra Stadium, WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported, as the front of the museum-- a wall of glass-- shows no signs of a break-in.
The Essex County Sheriff's Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information in the case.
Crime scene investigators at Yogi Berra Museum. Bldg houses array of unique Berra artifacts. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/eghEGXtvyy
— Peter Haskell (@peterhaskell880) October 8, 2014
Berra's museum in Little Falls, N.J. -- on Montclair State University's campus -- opened in December 1998 and houses memorabilia from the 89-year-old's Hall of Fame career.
As CBS 2's Christine Sloan reported, it was not clear what was stolen, but students at Montclair State University say the stuff inside of the museum is priceless.
"We're both sports fans, we're both Yankees fans, it seems like ridiculous that somebody would tarnish the legacy of Montlcair like that,"freshman Collin Borow said.
The highlight inside of the museum is a bronzed mitt that Yogi used to catch Don Larson's perfect game in 1956.
"Theater there for school kids to come in, have a touring thing, show them some of the games," Yogi said at the time, "Got a World Series film, we got a bit of everything, education and everything."
The museum director said that they were saddened by the break-in, and that they are cooperating with authorities. The FBI and the Passaic County Sherrif's Department are both investigating.
"The Luckiest Man: The 75th Anniversary of Lou Gehrig's Speech" is currently on exhibit, according to the museum's website.
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