$30K In Gems Stolen From North Jersey Museum In Bloody Heist

FRANKLIN BOROUGH, SUSSEX, NJ — Over $30,000 of gems were stolen from a North Jersey museum during a bloody heist, according to police.

A mixture of precious stones, gems and minerals were stolen from the Franklin Mineral Museum in Sussex County early Monday morning, Franklin Borough Police said.

Burglars climbed over a barbed wire fence, used a ladder to climb through a window and repelled down to the floor, police said. Burglars ransacked shelves and destroyed display cases, causing a significant amount of damage.

Blood marks were found around the museum, leading police to believe one of the burglars was hurt. Police are asking any medical professional or facility that treated someone with a "significant" cut to contact them.

Emeralds, diamonds, topaz and opals are among the gemstone stolen. Police ask residents to be on the lookout for someone with an unusual amount of gems.

The Franklin Mineral Museum celebrates the areas mining history, and has a variety of minerals and gems on display. It first opened in 1965.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Daniel Flora at 862-273-5170 or Detective Sgt. Nevin Mattessich at 862-268-1401.

Image: stock photo of jewels, via Peter Richardson, Flickr

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