So This Coin Thief Walks Into a Coin Show...

I posted this on another forum, and thought you all would enjoy this story too!

I could hardly believe it! The coin thief that stole coins from me at the Bakersfield show last year (who then had the nerve to show up and steal some more coins at the Santa Clara show a couple months later), ACTUALLY SHOWED UP AT THE SAN JOSE SHOW that I just returned from!

One of the dealers recognized him and told the security guard that he had previously stolen coins from me, so the security guard asked me if I preferred that he not be allowed into this show. I furled my brow and asked the security guard why that was even a question. He said that, for liability purposes, they had to have a "victim" who requested that the thief be banned from the show. Well, I told the security guard, OF COURSE I DIDN'T WANT THAT THIEF IN THE SHOW! So he asked that I identify the guy, who had since slipped into the show while the security guard was talking to me at my table (which was in the back of the room).

When we found the thief looking at another dealer's coins, I approached him and asked him why would he show up at another coin show? He said he just wanted to look at some coins. I said, "But you're a convicted coin thief!" Get this, he said, "Well, that was LAST year, and this is a new year." Can you freakin' believe it!!! The security guard thankfully escorted him out of the show.

Here's the background on this guy. I caught him stealing from me last year, filed a complaint, he was given a citation and released, showed up at the Santa Clara show and stole coins there but the dealer wouldn't prosecute so they just photographed him and kicked him out. He eventually plead guilty to my charges, was given 3 years probation and a fine. I asked the DA to require that he not be allowed into coin shows but she said they couldn't do that. I believe he's just a sick klepto, in my opinion, since he only steals inexpensive coins.

However, after thinking about it, maybe what I should have done was allow that thief into the show and watch him again and I have no doubt he wouldn't have been able to resist nabbing some more coins, so had he been caught, he of course would have been violating his probation and THEN he finally would have seen the inside of a jail!!!

Btw, the dealer's table he was at when he was asked to leave came by my table and said he wanted to thank me for having the "tenacity" to point him out and have him ejected from the show. The thief was looking at one of his coins at the time and told the dealer he wanted to buy it, but after I told the dealer he was a convicted thief, he turned down the sale. Now, to me, that took scruples and it was nice to hear that some dealers value scruples over a quick sale!

 

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I can't even think of what to say about your nemesis. Peoples minds that work like that are beyond explanation. However, even if he is in California, I appreciate your efforts.

 

Can you post a picture of this guy each time you're at a show? Let the people know what he does.

 

If the mob stil ran coin shows he wouldnt be walking back into another show...

Ahh the good ole days...

 

So much for violating the poor guys civil rights ...geez.
So much for rehabilitation, maybe the guy is trying to go straight?
If the guy served his time, why harrass him?

 

Are you for real?

 

I think if you've been caught stealing more than once, there's no chance or rehabilitation. I'd wait for him to show at my table and then point a gun in his face and kindly ask that he vacate the area in under 2 seconds. Then I'd hope every other dealer at the show would do the same. Thats the only point a moronic thief like this will take.
Guy~

 

Kindly even... why don't u just shoot him in the leg as a warning, that should do the trick.

Charmy handled it very well I think, and I suspect that with decent word of mouth any future theft by this guy could be averted.

 

Charmy did handle it well. And because she did a few other dealers will do the same, and eventually this guy won't be able to sneak in anywhere without drawing an alarm. If anything, the dealer and collector community doesn't look upon coin thieves kindly and forgivingly. And thats a good thing.
Guy~

 

You're exactly right, so much for rehabilitation! You think someone who goes to another coin show with the intention of stealing coins when he already has a case pending against him for the exact same thing can be rehabilitated? And he has NOT served his time - he's still on probation (he never even received any jail time, just a fine).

Also, it's my understanding that a coin show is run by private citizens and they have the right to include and EXCLUDE anyone they see fit. Since I witnessed him stealing coins TWICE at two different coin shows, not to mention being one of his VICTIMS, don't you think him violating MY civil rights to be free from someone stealing from me was a good enough reason for him to be EXCLUDED from this show?

And harassment is the LEAST thing this guy deserves!

 

I think things were handled very well. You being the victim had every right to ask that he be removed from the show... forget everyone else. I would have done exactly the same thing.

 

"And harassment is the LEAST thing this guy deserves!"

Where's the rope?

 

great idea! the more people that know who to look for, the better off everyone will be. :thumb:

 

In case you were serious, generally, a private citizen cannot violate another persons Civil Rights. They exist to prevent GOVERNMENTAL intrusions.

At a private event, such as a coin show (even though it is open to the public, it is still privately held and funded), anyone can be excluded. There are of course exceptions, but this would not be one of them.

 

Thats amazing!! Cant believe the guy would actually show up to rip
You off again

 

Of course your right there. It sure is horrible the way people persicute those poor individuals that are attempting to live a normal, honest, fruitfull life. Why as noted he served his time, so let bygones be bygones.
Exactly what happens around us in the Chicago area. Why just because that guy had a lousy home life, he killed those ten people, now that he served his time in jail, 1 year per murdered person, give him another chance will you.
Oppps, that same guy just killed a few more as soon as he got out. Maybe next time, HUH?
Oh, look how they persicute that poor guy with only 12 robberies on his record. 3 time looser? No that is for the TV stuff. Eventually this criminal will realize that crime doesn't pay. OPPPS again. Now up to 13. HMMM.
I think I've just got to send the Chicago Tribune out to lots of people. :crying:

 

Yeah, use those cell phones with cameras to snap a pic of him or whoever seems suspicious, just in case.

 

I think the guy was there to steal again and don't blame anyone for running him off. I do feel it would have been better to try to catch him again. Could be wrong but I'm thinking the third strike laws would have cost the guy lots of bucks to get out of trouble.
The DA and the judge can't do much till it reaches this point.

 

Just a suggestion. You say that the individual was placed on probation for 3 years and that he only takes inexpensive coins. It sounds to me that he does suffer from some sort of impulse mania which he evidently cannot control. I would contact the DA and see if perhaps they can request some court mandated therapy for him. He certainly has need. Other than that, you have done all you can do.

 

He gave up those civil rights when he violated others' on two separate occasions.

It's easy for you to say...if you're so compassionate for this convicted thief, why don't YOU let him "try" to go straight while handling YOUR coins...I say why let the fox into the hen house.

-LTB