A serendipitous turn of events

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...

[carrigansghost]

I've sold cards at shows, to others and shops, no one asks for ID, but the shop owner is on the hook for this. Do any of the dealers here ask for ID when buying at shows. He does from the story have a surveillance system. It's up to him to pursue the matter with the seller.

Rawn

[Leon]

Originally Posted by carrigansghost

I've sold cards at shows, to others and shops, no one asks for ID, but the shop owner is on the hook for this. Do any of the dealers here ask for ID when buying at shows. He does from the story have a surveillance system. It's up to him to pursue the matter with the seller.

Rawn

The shop owner knew the seller had stolen items. That changes the complexion completely. He therefore should have known to get some kind of id....

[carrigansghost]

Kkidnapping baseball cards, what's next? I would be calling the police and outing this owner. I hope this is a fabricated event. The owner now becomes part of a potential felony.


Rawn

[williamcohon]

First of all, the police were called, and a report filed immediately. They didn't offer much hope, but they were in the loop from the start.

I don't know the law, but here's how I see it. My friend wanted his cards back, and essentially authorized the purchase by the owner. Had he been reluctant to do so, I imagine the scene would have played out quite differently. Namely, the shop owner would have required positive id (after all, he knew there was a freshly stolen collection out there), and likely not made a purchase at all.

Also, there is a limit to what should be expected of the shop owner, in terms of apprehending the thief. The way it has played out, there is a chance that the thief's image will have been captured on security video. So this may have been the best shot at getting the collection back AND catching the scoundrel.

There's no doubt that my friend should not have to pay to retrieve what is his. But, for his trouble, and perhaps even risk, I don't think the shop owner should be stiffed. When the thief is caught, he will owe my friend the money.

[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

[zljones]

Originally Posted by tbob

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

+1

[travrosty]

the card shop owner should have looked at the whole box of cards then kept the cards, and told the guy to call the police if he didn't like it.

[Ejm1]

Maybe the shop owner never paid for the cards and the thief is a buddy of his and this was a bascially a kidnapping for cash type of thing? Who knows. Was O.J. Simpson involved?