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

[EddieP]

The thieves knew what they were doing. If you ever travel abroad or even in a big US city you should be aware that thieves/pickpockets work in groups. There’s the distractor(s), the klepto and the lookout(s). You have to be wary about the most normal looking person.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by EddieP

The thieves knew what they were doing. If you ever travel abroad or even in a big US city you should be aware that thieves/pickpockets work in groups. There’s the distractor(s), the klepto and the lookout(s). You have to be wary about the most normal looking person.

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.

[sb1]

There were uniformed police officers walking the aisles and very visible throughout the entire show as well as a new group of uniformed expo service staff constantly patrolling the aisles during the show. However once the show was winding down, they were no where to be seen, at one of the most crucial times for potential theft..

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by sb1

There were uniformed police officers walking the aisles and very visible throughout the entire show as well as a new group of uniformed expo service staff constantly patrolling the aisles during the show. However once the show was winding down, they were no where to be seen, at one of the most crucial times for potential theft..

Good point Steve, I produced a music festival for 25 years and learned fast to post security at all the vulnerable spots following the show until everybody who was not authorized had left the venue. Merch, alcohol, anything of value cuz some drunk people are dumb.

My vendors always had a buddy system during the show and especially on the load out with security back up checking in with each vendor.

Horrible what happened to Ash and I hope the perps get punished, maybe a good time to have a conversation about solutions to an increasing problem.

My emotions tell me a small explosive charge affixed to the latches of the case that will take your hands off but leave the cards intact if you get the combination wrong would meet out a little street justice.

Also like the Apple tracker idea coupled with a dye pack.

[Beercan collector]

Are there any higher resolution photographs of the cards ?
So the public can look out for them ,
PSA deactivated cards involved from the online verification .

[tjisonline]

Originally Posted by Beercan collector

Are there any higher resolution photographs of the cards ?
So the public can look out for them ,
PSA deactivated cards involved from the online verification .

Yep. That is an issue now because higher resolution reference pics are gone. They should have deactivated the certs and left the pics up. Many times , PSA actions leave me dumbfounded

[sb1]

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.

Those young men work his tables at every show and are very knowledgeable and responsible, they simply/unfortunately got worked by professionals..

I am sure having their packed items taken was the last thing on their mind, despite knowing to always be on the lookout for thieves during the show, when the card swappers and distracters normally try to take advantage of a busied employee.

As others have stated Ash is a great guy, well respected and trusted. You could leave your house keys or wallet with him and everything would be exactly as your left it. He certainly did not deserve this(nor does anyone), I think the thieves had likely scoped him out for some time and were aware of the lack of people in the booth and the absence of other people in the venue at this time of the shows as a rule and new that there would be opportunity.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by sb1

Those young men work his tables at every show and are very knowledgeable and responsible, they simply/unfortunately got worked by professionals..

I am sure having their packed items taken was the last thing on their mind, despite knowing to always be on the lookout for thieves during the show, when the card swappers and distracters normally try to take advantage of a busied employee.

As others have stated Ash is a great guy, well respected and trusted. You could leave your house keys or wallet with him and everything would be exactly as your left it. He certainly did not deserve this(nor does anyone), I think the thieves had likely scoped him out for some time and were aware of the lack of people in the booth and the absence of other people in the venue at this time of the shows as a rule and new that there would be opportunity.

All very true. I have spoken with Ash several times. He's a great guy, super nice dealer.
I agree with the comment about members talking about his prices too. They are marked high but he will deal on just about anything. This is not the time to talk about someone's selling skills. It's time to talk about who the perps are. A really nice guy got robbed.
And his son I usually talk with is one of the nicest young guys in the room too.
.

[Kutcher55]

This has all the makings of a national news story. Brazen midday heist of 7-figures worth of collectables. I think some planning definitely went into this, but it remains to be seen just how "professional" these thieves are. Stealing the cards is one thing, but fencing them is a whole nother matter.

Unless they were wearing special facial disguises they will get made in very little time. Because of the size of the heist, police will take interest, as will of course the insurance company as I doubt these cards weren't insured.

There will be other video, outside the venue. It's possible we could have names really soon. I believe they will be apprehended in short order.

No knock on Ash who I have done deals with and is a complete gentleman, but you probably need to keep a closer eye on inventory of that value.

[StraightRaceCards]

Originally Posted by Leon

All very true. I have spoken with Ash several times. He's a great guy, super nice dealer.
I agree with the comment about members talking about his prices too. They are marked high but he will deal on just about anything. This is not the time to talk about someone's selling skills. It's time to talk about who the perps are. A really nice guy got robbed.
And his son I usually talk with is one of the nicest young guys in the room too.
.

+1

I agree, I’ve talked to him a couple of times at the Dallas show and have had nothing but positive interactions with him.

Hate for the good guys in the hobby to be robbed, will be on the lookout for any of these unique cards

[JustinD]

Not purposefully trying to be judgy, however the thief sure fits the awkwardly dressed card show profile. I am betting he is a collector and someone likely knows this guy in the modern community.

If the other three are involved or he just took advantage of the situation of them for a distraction is up to the police to decide. However, they look like plenty of trade night attendees as well. I think someone will step forward and id someone.

I can't stand the guy, but it might be good to get this film into Geoff Wilson's hands and he may put it in a video. If they are modern collectors, he has the reach on youtube.

I saw this morning you have TikTok covered because Coach Koe already has a post. He has a huge reach on there.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

If there's any upside, it's that Ash is getting a lot of free positive character references and advertising.

[SyrNy1960]

Hate to see that this has happened again. Hope they are caught and all cards are recovered.

[CardPadre]

Originally Posted by Leon

All very true. I have spoken with Ash several times. He's a great guy, super nice dealer.
I agree with the comment about members talking about his prices too. They are marked high but he will deal on just about anything. This is not the time to talk about someone's selling skills. It's time to talk about who the perps are. A really nice guy got robbed.
And his son I usually talk with is one of the nicest young guys in the room too.
.

Get some perspective, it's not like someone was murdered for his cards. A bunch of stuff was stolen. Stuff. People will have whatever thoughts and observations they have about whatever is shown as part of the story...and they will share some of those on a discussion forum. The thought-police can turn in their badges and pat themselves on the back for a job well-attempted.

I feel really bad for the kids, I'm sure they feel terrible and don't really know how to process it all. Adults are adults, and have to deal with their own stuff and I'm sure he will. I certainly hope all the cards are returned and everyone appropriately punished.

People are inherently distractible no matter how vigilant they may try to be or may think they are being. This will probably lead to people rethinking how they secure cards at different stages of a show, so that's probably a good discussion to come of it all.




.

[raulus]

What’s the penalty for this type of heist these days? 10-20 years?

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by raulus

What’s the penalty for this type of heist these days? 10-20 years?

Just sayin'...

[chalupacollects]

Originally Posted by raulus

What’s the penalty for this type of heist these days? 10-20 years?

Depends… red city 10-20 years, blue city an appearance ticket and BK coupons…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[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.

[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.

[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