Posted: Saturday, November 19, 2011 --- 5:23p.m.

ASHLAND, Wis. (AP) -- Authorities in northern Wisconsin say a thief broke into a courthouse, passed up money and other valuable items and made off with just a single item -- a judge's robe.

Ashland police Chief John Paitl says it's an odd case. He says the suspect had to know there were surveillance cameras around, and it's not clear why someone would want the robe of Judge Robert Eaton.

Paitl says the break-in likely occurred Thursday about 5 a.m. An Ashland Daily Press report (http://bit.ly/skOLHK ) says the suspect was wearing an overcoat and sunglasses so the person isn't recognizable on surveillance tapes.

Police say the suspect went straight to the third floor and broke into the Clerk of Courts office. The robe was taken but computers, antique furniture and cash were left untouched.

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Information from: The Daily Press, http://www.ashlandwi.com