Golf Thefts Under Investigation at Clubs in New Jersey and Illinois

Golf carts, trophies and credit cards have been stolen at Somerset Hills CC in Bernardsville, N.J., and Sunset Ridge CC in Northfield, Ill.

Local authorities in New Jersey and Illinois are investigating thefts at multiple country clubs.

Somerset Hills Country Club in Bernardsville, N.J., was the victim of the theft for the second time this month, The (New Jersey) Star-Ledger reported. Several trophies were stolen from a display case just before 3:30 a.m. on May 22 and a service cart was taken but recovered during the investigation.

Almost two weeks before on May 11, more trophies were stolen along with golf carts that were later found abandoned.

Investigators are offering a $5,000 reward for the capture of the Somerset Hills thief. They are also offering $5,000 to anyone with information regarding the theft of a U.S. Amateur trophy and replica Hickok Belt once owned by Ben Hogan that were stolen from the U.S. Golf Association museum in Far Hills, N.J. this month.

Police in Northfield, Ill., arrested a man who they believe is part of a group who pose as golfers to steal credit cards from country club locker rooms, TribLocal (Winnetka/Northfield) reported.

Jose A. Ponce was allegedly spotted going through lockers at Sunset Ridge Country Club on May 18 when an employee confronted him and Ponce ran off with the wallet. Northfield Police Chief Bill Lustig arrested Ponce and charged him with felony burglary and misdemeanor battery.

No wallet was found in Ponce’s possession, though police did find an American Express card. Ponce also had a clear substance on his fingertips to prevent his identification before police removed it.

“Every afternoon I drive around town just to see what’s going on,” Lustig said. “It’s just about being at the right place at the right time.”

Tags: Ben Hogan Bernardsville N.J. Bill Lustig Far Hills N.J. Jose A. Ponce Northfield Ill. Somerset Hills Country Club Sunset Ridge Country Club U.S. Golf Association museum