USGA Museum Burglarized In New Jersey

BERNARDSVILLE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Police are investigating a robbery at the USGA Museum.

A spokesperson for the museum told CBS 2 that two artifacts were stolen.

Masked thieves targeted the museum overnight, said Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano. They smashed in through a window and stole the objects.

"The incident is very unfortunate. The good news is that thankfully nobody was hurt as a result of the burglary," said Joe Goode of the USGA Museum.

Soriano said the burglary went down at around 2:39 a.m.

Soriano said officers responding to the scene found several trophy cases that were smashed up with an axe.

Museum staff are staying mum on exactly what was stolen, and their value. Sources told CBS 2 what was taken were replicas, not original artifacts.

There are security cameras throughout the building. Police reviewing the footage said the suspect has a tall, thin build. He was wearing blue jeans, a dark jacket and white sneakers. He may have also been wearing a mask.

The museum's website says it is "home to the world's premier collection of golf artifacts and memorabilia."

"We've got rooms and galleries dedicated to Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Bob Jones," Goode explained.

The burglary comes on the heels of another robbery at a nearby golf course last Friday.

The Somerset Hills Country Club, just 10 minutes away, was robbed between 3 and 5 a.m., reported CBS 2's Kathryn Brown. In that robbery, trophies were stolen from the clubhouse. Three golf carts were also stolen but were later recovered.

Police are looking into whether the two robberies may be related.

Anyone with any information on the USGA Museum robbery is asked to call Bernards Township Detectives at 908-766-1122 or Somerset County Prosecutors at 908-231-7100. You can also leave an anonymous tip by calling 888-577-8477 (TIPS) or by clicking here.  All calls are kept confidential.

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