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Police: Thieves Targeting Country Clubs In Conn.

GREENWICH, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking for two suspects who they say are targeting country clubs in Fairfield County.

Over the past week, there have been several burglaries of unlocked cars parked at golf courses in Darien, Stratford and Greenwich, police said.

Police said one of the suspects may be posing as a guest to get into locker rooms, WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported.

Police: Northeast Country Clubs Endure String Of Thefts

When approached by country club staff, the suspect says that he is a guest but cannot provide the name of the member, police said.

Police said they may be driving a white Nissan Maxima or Altima.

Similar thefts are being reported at country clubs in New Jersey and other areas.

According to the New Jersey State Golf Association, a group of sophisticated credit-card thieves have targeted locker rooms at the Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, the Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, the Plainfield Country Club in Edison and the Battleground Country Club in Manalapan.

"They're looking for people who have money, people who could be a little lackadaisical as to how to protect their valuables," said Mike Moretti at the New Jersey State Golf Association. "Their brazenness is off the charts."

Other areas that have reported thefts include Oakley Country Club in Watertown, Mass. and Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, Fla.

The New Jersey State Golf Association said Springfield police arrested a suspect at Canoe Brook C.C. on July 20. He is being held on $200,000 bail. Officers have also identified a second suspect who is being sought.

On Friday, Springfield police Sgt. Joseph Cieri said a second suspect has also been arrested, according to the New Jersey State Golf Association.

"This is turning out to be a retail theft crew that is hitting the northeast," Cieri said in a statement.

The New Jersey State Golf Association has alerted club managers about the possible organized activity and has sent out more than 70,000 emails to its members.

Law enforcement agencies recommend that valuables should be secured either in locked lockers within the clubhouse or within the trunk of the vehicle.

If a vehicle does not have a concealed trunk area, it is recommended that valuables are not in plain view.

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