Massive theft at Dallas card show, Nearly 2 Million Dollars worth of cards stolen

[Jewish-collector]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

If I travelled shows selling cards like this there would be a retired cop at my right hand. He would know zero about cards, would not be chatting with anyone, and would watch my stuff like a hawk. Never let cases, boxes, etc out of his sight. Sure it would be $200 well spent. Just the sign of him would be enough to send most bad guys in another direction. In NJ where I live you could even hire an active officer on his day off. My assistants would not be kids.

Agree. I'd have the hired person (it could even be a family relative or close friend) actually physically holding the expensive cases, boxes, etc,...even sitting on the floor with them.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Agree. I'd have the hired person (it could even be a family relative or close friend) actually physically holding the expensive cases, boxes, etc,...even sitting on the floor with them.

"As we are packing up . . .that box right there with the 2 million dollars worth of cards in it . . . . that sits on your lap and never leaves. . . . I don't care if the leader of the free world walks by and drops to the floor in front of us . . . . ."

Seems like the breaking down period at these shows in the most dangerous time for organized theft

[1954 topps]

I’m hoping when these guys are caught and they absolutely will be are made an example of. Serious jail time.

Occasional I bring inventory and cash to shows worth way more than I’d hate to have stolen. It certainly gives me an uneasy feeling. I’m sure others can relate.

[packs]

This really sucks. Do any of you guys setting up at shows use air tags or something similar for your own cases? I was wondering if the hobby has adopted them or similar devices.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by packs

This really sucks. Do any of you guys setting up at shows use air tags or something similar for your own cases? I was wondering if the hobby has adopted them or similar devices.

I don't sell at shows, but I stick air tags in anything of great value or of importance not to be stolen or where tracking would be helpful. The batteries last like a year and they are pretty cheap and small. They have stood up to more than I expected they would, pretty durable. This is a great recommendation for anything of large value.

[BioCRN]

Unlike the opportunistic hotel heist that happened recently, hopefully these guys will get snagged soon.

They most likely have more knowledge of flipping this stuff compared to the hotel kids which means they're more likely to break the cards out of their slabs and alter them to hide their identity.

That said, there's good video and many eye witnesses given how long they hung around the venue waiting to strike.

It seems they're destined to be caught, but hopefully before they crack slabs. Hell, hopefully they're more ignorant of what they had than it seems, but that seems like a longshot.

[jbsports33]

We have multiple shows in New England and will be looking out and will let others know as well. These are all extremely high-end cards, so these will be hard to hide if these thieves are stupid enough to try and sell them, sorry this happened. We had a complete 1953 Topps binder stolen from us and had other issues over the years – sometimes it’s hard to swallow. Hang in there and good luck to you and your family – your sons must feel the pain too. These thieves work together and after a show or before one can be hard to watch it all. We had multiple tables at one time, sometimes cutting down how many tables or what you bring is the best defense.

Take care Jimmy

[samosa4u]

Last week, I decided to ride my nice red CCM bike to the post office (to mail out some cards). When I got there, I leaned it against the store window and went inside. I had to use the washroom, but I made it quick. And I decided to come out of the washroom while I was rubbing soap on my hands, so I could keep my eye on my bike. In short, I took my eye off my bike for maybe 30 seconds (I made myself pee hard and fast!) Why? Because I didn't want someone to ride off with it. I was very, very careful.

So when I read about massive thefts like this, then I just ... don't ... get it ...

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Agree. I'd have the hired person (it could even be a family relative or close friend) actually physically holding the expensive cases, boxes, etc,...even sitting on the floor with them.

with the value of so many of the cards that is a good idea.
Scary how it happened and how organized and prepared they seemed to be

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

with the value of so many of the cards that is a good idea.
Scary how it happened and how organized and prepared they seemed to be

Must not know about surveillance cameras!!

I would not give them too much credit. They will be in jail within a couple of days if not sooner.

Now they may have destroyed the cards by then but they will not get away with this heist.

[vintagerookies51]

Obviously very unfortunate and I hope the cards are recovered, thieves are punished, etc...

But after the Memory Lane incident and now this, is it that common to just deal with this amount of $$ so carelessly? Hindsight is 20/20, but if I'm carrying around anything close to that amount of value, I'm hiding an AirTag in it at the very least.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by vintagerookies51

Obviously very unfortunate and I hope the cards are recovered, thieves are punished, etc...

But after the Memory Lane incident and now this, is it that common to just deal with this amount of $$ so carelessly? Hindsight is 20/20, but if I'm carrying around anything close to that amount of value, I'm hiding an AirTag in it at the very least.

An AirTag only helps if the thief keeps the cards in the original case. Since it looks like these guys had this planned out, there's a reasonable chance that soon after getting out of the hall, they moved the cards into something else and ditched the original case and any AirTag it might have had in it.

[brunswickreeves]

Originally Posted by jayshum

An AirTag only helps if the thief keeps the cards in the original case. Since it looks like these guys had this planned out, there's a reasonable chance that soon after getting out of the hall, they moved the cards into something else and ditched the original case and any AirTag it might have had in it.

I recommended using Air Tags back in post #52 and to expand on the rationale, a dealer would be able to identify its last location, enabling review of surveillance video in proximity (eg from exterior of a bank/store/traffic light) to ID a car or individuals in it. It would also put authorities on a directional path for higher probable recovery.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by brunswickreeves

I recommended using Air Tags back in post #52 and to expand on the rationale, a dealer would be able to identify its last location, enabling review of surveillance video in proximity (eg from exterior of a bank/store/traffic light) to ID a car or individuals in it. It would also put authorities on a directional path for higher probable recovery.

I'm not saying AirTags are a bad idea, it's just that they only work for as long as they are with the stolen items which may not be very long if the thief is smart enough to realize they may be there. Having them would certainly be potentially better than not having them, but there's no guarantee they will provide as much information as you are suggesting.

[Eric72]

How long before the TPGs embed air tags (or RFID, etc.) in their slabs?

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

with the value of so many of the cards that is a good idea.
Scary how it happened and how organized and prepared they seemed to be

Yes Jeff, clearly not a case of opportunity, but one of premeditatation. You paint a big enough target.on your back, don't be surprised when it gets hit. Anyone with access to the internet can see the amount of inventory Ash has. Post after post, day in and day out with multiple copies of high end expensive cards laid out together in one showcase. I don't care if his kids are in spy school to be CIA agents, they were easily distracted and had no business being in charge of watching those cards. It isn't their fault though I'm sure they feel horrible about it.

Many of these collectors ans dealers have come to the table post covid and hardly any know the bad parts of the hobby. Not some.random employee walking away with a box. I'm talking about organized theft and people working in teams. I had seen it alot doing shows in the 90s. Hardly anyone ever got caught or cards returned. Now with grading more prevelant and the internet, the cards are easier to track.

I've had 2 major thefts of my collection both done by people that I knew. That's one of the horrible.parts of the hobby. The nicer your collection, the bigger the pool of haters. What happened when I went to court? Well the judge asked where were my documented receipts for buying the cards. These I did not have and my cards were subsequently sold by JJ teaparty to Clark Booth. This is where the thieves sold them