Remember Chicago Card Burglary Last Month ?

storm888

Details of the theft at NET54.

////////////////////////////////////////

Here is what Doug Allen of Mastro's (who did most of the work in getting the info out to the public) has just posted on another board.



Hey All,

Sorry for the delay....the return of these cards has evolved over the past few weeks and I did not want to report back until I was confident all the cards were returned. I am pleased to report that I spent the day with my good friend whose collection was stolen and am confident that substantially all of the cards have been returned. I spent the day sorting 53-59 Topps, Cracker Jacks, M116's, M101s, etc and although some sorting remains, the collection appears to be completely intact.

This almost sounds sureal but the cards were stolen by Gypsies. Fortunately they did not know what they had, they turned them quickly and due to the wide net that was spread through e-mails, calls and forums like this the ultimate individuals who fenced them were scared into returning them. A few weeks ago they returned a large portion of them directly to my friend (literally dropped them at their door) and more recently returned the final portion of the collection after attempting to consign them to REA. The funny thing is although Rob and I are competitors when I left my friends home the day after the theft he was the first person I called personally as I knew the thiefs would try to move them out of state.

I am posting here for three reasons. First, to personally offer my thanks to everyone who supported this effort, being our eyes and ears at shows, showing concern when cards poped up on eBay...your efforts are greatly appreciated. Second and more importantly to offer the thanks of my good friend....I explained how widespread the search was and he wanted me to offer a word of gratitude to the collecting community. He hasn't been part of this community for years but is humbled by the widespread concern for him and his collection.

I will now work with him to safeguard his collection so this can't happen again. He realizes he may continue to be a target and we will take the necessary steps to make sure he can feel safe in his own home.

Finally a story with a happy ending!

Regards,

Doug

TNP777

That's wonderful news - thanks for the update!

Geordie

theczar

the caught them red-handed in this photo:

brian26

Gypsies? On the north shore of Chicago? Something doesn't add up here. This is really weird.

Buccaneer

Gypsies?????????

Elemenopeo

They may have nothing to do with this particular situation, but I know that when people talk about "gypsies" in the U.S., they often mean these folks.

jfkheat

There is a community in South Carolina between Edgefield and North Augusta that in full of Gypsies. They travel all over the country ripping people off any way they can. They must make plenty of money doing it because most of the homes are worth $250,000 and up. The funny thing is, you will see a $300,000 home with a single wide mobile home in the back yard. I'm not sure of all the details but there is something in their beliefs that they can't live in the house until it is paid for or some other predetermined length of time. There has been several 60 Minutes and Dateline stories about this group of Gypsies and how they rip people off. Three of them were caught a few years ago trying to scam Disney World.
James

originalisbest

I remember when scooby ran into that old gypsy. Man, what a red herring she was. Or was that the hermit?

wick70

You never hear those kinds of stories up here on the North Shore. I know my buddies used to have trouble on the Southside with gypsies. They'd get your attention at the front door while one of them sneaks through the back door to rob you.

Wick

Stone193

That's great news!

mike

julen23

this is insane and ridiculous IMHO...

wow

Julen