The reward for identifying the culprits behind Tuesday's break-in at the Yogi Berra Museum was increased to $15,000 on Thursday as police continue their investigation.
The museum, located on the Montclair State University campus in Little Falls, New Jersey, is said to have been cased by "a team of professionals,"
according to the New York Daily News.
Thieves targeted and made off with a number of high-value items that museum director Dave Kaplan said his staff are now diligently cataloging for police. Among those items were several of Berra's World Series rings, and two MVP plaques.
"This is very unique material and it would have to stay underground," said frustrated sports memorabilia expert Rob Lifson, president of Robert Edwards Auctions.
"These are not mass-produced items – it’s like trying to sell a famous painting. Anyone who bought them would have to keep it secret. Why not just steal the Mona Lisa and try to sell that instead?"
The Essex County Sheriff’s Office initially announced that its Crime Stoppers program was offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case, but that number was soon increased to $15,000.
"The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center is an iconic asset to our county and to parents, children and baseball fans everywhere," Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said, announcing the reward. "We are outraged that this vital institution was violated."
Initial reports indicate that the burglars may have entered the museum from the connecting Yogi Berra Stadium. The front of the museum showed no signs of break-in.
The Yogi Berra Museum first opened in 1998. Its exhibits focus on the Hall of Famer's 13-time World Series career.
Yogi Berra, 89, has not commented on the break in.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.