A serendipitous turn of events

[barrysloate]

The thief was so specific with what he took that there is likely a clue there. The crook knew before he entered exactly what he wanted.

[sycks22]

You could also alert PSA / SGC with the descriptions of any of the cards if they were unique (printing dots / where the creases were / etc). Were any of the cards graded? That wouldn't be hard to track them down if they ever come up for sale at any auction house or ebay. I hope your buddy can get his cards back.

[mintacular]

Even though my cards are locked and secure, I still have added piece of mind w insurance from CollectInsure, which runs me about $50/year and only took me 15 minutes to fill out the forms, etc. I know in the event that the cards would be stolen that while the $ could not "replace" them it would allow me to try. So if you have a collection of value you really should look into this, sorry about your friend's robbery

What part of Washington state did this take place in? If it is eastern Washington, there are only a handful of dealers who would buy them off this dirtbag. A list of cards would be very helpful. I will personally forward this to dealers east of the Cascades. Note: this is the second theft of vintage baseball cards in the last year in Washington state (earlier thread below)

http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com...caught-on-cam/

[williamcohon]

Last night, my friend alerted a local shop - the very one that had been broken into within the last year. The owner said he would keep an eye out for the cards. And he inquired whether my friend was in a position to pay, if the shop owner were able to buy them. My friend agreed.

This morning, the shop owner called to say that he had the cards. My friend will have to pay (but probably about one tenth the cards' value). I think this is a happy ending, inasmuch as getting robbed, and having to pay to get your stuff back can be seen as happy.

[3-2-count]

Tell me the police were contacted by the card shop owner.
They simply walked away???????

[Tao_Moko]

I'm confused. I am not questioning the validity of the story at all but no mention of the authorities at all. Did the shop owner notify the police after buying the cards back and give a description or anything? I would think you could easily steer the thief to handle the plastic card holders and get a fingerprint. Possibly even take a snapshot with his phone to id the individual.

[FrankWakefield]

The shop owner 'bought' cards from someone who didn't own them... the cards should be returned to the owner without the owner paying for that.

[3-2-count]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

The shop owner 'bought' cards from someone who didn't own them... the cards should be returned to the owner without the owner paying for that.

This is how I see it should be as well. Plus I'll mention once again. NO POLICE????

[carrigansghost]

Sounds a bit fishy, but glad he got his cards back. I think there will be more to the story.

Rawn

[Leon]

The shop owner should have required positive ID (if he didn't).....bought the cards and called the owner and the police, in tandem. I am no lawyer but generally I don't think title can pass to others when an item is stolen. Title stays with the rightful owner. So your friend should really get the cards back for no money. I agree that something sounds fishy here...

[DJR]

.

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by williamcohon

Last night, my friend alerted a local shop - the very one that had been broken into within the last year. The owner said he would keep an eye out for the cards. And he inquired whether my friend was in a position to pay, if the shop owner were able to buy them. My friend agreed.

This morning, the shop owner called to say that he had the cards. My friend will have to pay (but probably about one tenth the cards' value). I think this is a happy ending, inasmuch as getting robbed, and having to pay to get your stuff back can be seen as happy.

Something smells rotten in Seattle.

[christopher.herman]

Originally Posted by Deertick

Something smells rotten in Seattle.

Agreed.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by Deertick

Something smells rotten in Seattle.

Please out the card shop dealer so I never do business with him on ebay or otherwise. This whole things smells bad. I echo what others have said- the owner should have carefully removed the plastic card holders for fingerprint examination by police, he should have paid by check, etc. I am just amazed the guy had a security camera working, or did he? I also would assume the police were not too happy that they weren't called immediately. One last red flag is that this particular card dealer was broken in to during the last year. Hmmm, can you say "insurance claim?" Maybe because I do a lot of criminal defense work I may be a tad cynical, but this has strangeness written all over it.
tbob