Watch CBS News

Reward Up To $15,000 In Yogi Berra Museum Break-In, Burglary

LITTLE FALLS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The reward was increased to $15,000 Thursday for information leading to an arrest in the break-in and burglary at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls, New Jersey.

The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center lost number of valuable artifacts following the break-in on Tuesday night.

The Essex County Sheriff's Office announced that its Crime Stoppers program had increased the reward from the earlier $5,000 Thursday.

"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 Wednesday. "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.

Several of Berra's World Series rings and two MVP plaques were stolen, Montclair police said.

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 -- showed no signs of a break-in.

Berra's museum -- on Montclair State University's campus -- opened in December 1998 and houses memorabilia from the 89-year-old's Hall of Fame career.

The highlight inside of the museum is a bronzed mitt that Yogi used to catch Don Larson's perfect game in 1956.

"The Luckiest Man: The 75th Anniversary of Lou Gehrig's Speech" is currently on exhibit, according to the museum's website.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.