Just saw this posting on Boston Craigslist and thought I'd share. I feel bad for the owner... http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/11/28/thief-steals-rare-coins-from-lexington-coin-shop/
I feel bad for the owner too, but with all the forgeries of money orders that have been reported over the last decade, he should have been more cautious. I would never have considered accepting the money order. Since it was drawn by a local bank, he should have asked the customer to go to the bank and get the cash. Chris
Until I sent someone here on Coin Talk a money order I didn't think they were faked. I feel bad for the store owner and I hope they catch the guy.
Man, that sucks for the owner. The stupid news should have at least explained exactly what the stolen coins were. Their advice "be careful buying coins on the internet". Well....I'm glad they told us that. LOL
Saw the video. He captured the guy on tape, but he should upgrade to a better set of cameras and also place a couple that view the parking area and street. With a good enough system, he probably could have captured a license plate and great description of the vehicle or any accomplices. Those systems aren't space technology anymore, and for the loss he incurred on this, he could have taken that amount and had a legitimate business deduction.
I lived in Boston for 20 years and visited that shop a few times - got some nice pieces there. I feel for the dealer. He's a good guy - obviously a little too trusting though. The few times I made higher-end purchases, I always brought cash. It never occurred to me that someone would be willing to take a money order for that amount.
"Slick"? Why do you say that? The only thing I'd give the guy credit for is that he currently has $4,600+ worth of stolen coins in his possession. The store owner and the police have a relatively good photo of him and probably have his fingerprints on the check. There's a fairly good chance that this will catch up to him and he'll look back at this as one of the biggest mistakes in his life. If he somehow avoided leaving his fingerprints on the check (i.e. handling the check by the edges, handing it to the owner in an envelope, wearing gloves, etc) then that should have raised additional suspicion with the store owner. As if it wasn't already suspicious enough. I can maybe see him going into the store and picking out $4600 worth of coins and then telling the store owner to hold those coins while he goes to his bank to get a cashier's check. But walking in with a check already made out for $4600 to buy coins? Who does that? I'm not saying the store owner deserved to get taken, but he should have known better...
I second that. A truly slick thief doesn't get caught. A number of alarm bells should have been going off with this...
