Collector's Stolen Coins End Up at Gas Station -- Paying for Cigarettes

Toledo Ohio:
Collector's Stolen Coins End Up at Gas Station -- Paying for Cigarettes

May 23, 2007 04:41 PM

LUCAS COUNTY -- A Lucas County coin collector is very upset now that parts of his collection have ended up at area gas stations.

Deputies say his rare coins were stolen and used in small purchases, News 11's Lisa Rantala reports. Detectives need help trying to find the rest of this collection.

So far, they have a 15-year-old in custody. They say the suspect's young age is no surprise. They say several $20 coins were used to buy a pack of cigarettes.

Some of these rare, Morgan silver dollars date back to 1921 and 1886. They're just one portion of a major collection.

"He's not a happy guy. This was a real good collection for him," said Lt. Bobby Leist about the collector. The coins were uncirculated until they ended up at the Shamrock Gas Station at Airport and Eber.

Deputies say a teenager used 16 of the dollars to buy cigarettes. "Luckily, you have a concerned citizen -- a manager of a store -- who reported something wrong. Some people might not have done that," said Leist.

A week later, more coins from the collection popped up at another gas station. This time it was an hour away in Defiance, but again, they were used to buy more smokes.

"Whether it be juvenile criminals or people on drugs, it's all about instant gratification most of the time. I need my drugs or cigarettes and I'm just worried about today," Leist explained.

The collector wasn't at his Windy Lakes home but reported 24 sets of his valuable coins stolen along with jewelery and loose change he kept in a coffee can. He wants his pieces back, calling them a passion even though many depreciated in value.

 

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First Mistake

...In a coffee can?
No one ever deserves to have their collection raped, but if they were that important, why were they not locked away somewhere?

 

The way I read it, he had a coffee can full of loose change stolen in addition to the other items, not that they were stored in the coffee can.

 

I keep my $10 Libs in a ziplock bag in the drawer with the knives and forks. I don't drink coffee. The real stash is my currency that I have hidden under the lettuce in the crisper. A complete series of 20's and 50's in unc condition.

 

Treashunt, where do you keep finding all these stories?

 

Adam:
Just learning to surf the internet, whenever I have time.

 

The previous article stated that he had a whole room dedicated to his hobby. Poor guy, I cant believe someonee would rip off a collection like that... actually I do.

 

Ouch, that really hurts.

 

For Smokes?

As silly as it may seem to some there is one major problem here. Why wasn't a 15 year old carded to buy cigarettes?
I spent a long time in retail selling smokes among other things and believe me these days selling a pack of cigs to a minor is like selling a bottle of Jack Daniels.

County, state and feds are all over this. They actually send minors in to see if they get carded.

As for the coins and jewelry I'd lock it up a little better. Along with my smokes.

 

clembo, I was wondering the same thing. A 15 year old not getting carded for smokes he was buying with century-old coins? WTF??

 

That's really sad, but he needs to lock or hide them better. If he had a cat then under the litter box is a great place. Who would think to check there? Also, the kid should be educated to know what he stole.....Nothin worse than a stupid theaf....LOL.

 

Ummm, Zeke. Welcome to CoinTalk but why do you feel compelled - as a brand new member - to dredge up 4-year-old threads? Just curious.

 

It is true this thread is almost 4 years old. It's also true that I had never heard this story before. Now I have.

 

Wow! This thread was made before you even joined CoinTalk, Hobo.

...And Welcome to CoinTalk zekehooper,
-Brian

 

Didn't know it was that old and it was knew to me being that I am a new memmber.