Golf ball thief puzzled Missouri cops — but they might’ve found the ‘wily critter’
Officials are on the hunt for a tangerine-hued culprit who keeps nabbing unsuspecting golf balls from a Missouri golf course — and folks are amused.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook on Sept. 13 after a speedy little animal kept tripping up a benefit match held by the department at Crystal Highlands Golf Course in Festus.
“Do you recognize this fox?” the post asked. Photos show the sneaky critter dashing up to a golf ball, nabbing it and scampering off into the distance with its new prize.
“It’s believed this fox may have accomplices and they may have victimized numerous golfers. Rest assured, this wily critter will be found and brought to justice,” the post finished.
The event interrupted was the Sheriff’s Office Golf Invitational to benefit the JeffCo Deputy Welfare Fund.
Even the official Facebook account of the golf course got in on the fun.
“We always have an interesting day when the JSCO comes out to play,” the golf course’s Facebook post said. “Watch out for this bandit!”
People in the sheriff’s comment section were thrilled with all the action.
“Probably helped improve my brothers’ games!” one person joked.
“He said this is mine,” another noted.
“Check with the team in second place. Rumor has it they paid the fox to put the first place team behind,” someone joked.
“Do they confuse them for eggs or are they just jerks?” one person asked.
The sheriff’s department confirmed the investigation is “ongoing.”
Festus is about a 35-mile drive southwest of St. Louis.
This story was originally published September 18, 2024 at 12:52 PM with the headline "Golf ball thief puzzled Missouri cops — but they might’ve found the ‘wily critter’."