Home U.S. Coin Forum

Interesting story about police finding a thief's buried treasure.

SanctionIISanctionII Posts: 12,624 ✭✭✭✭✭
I read a local Bay Area paper today and found an interesting story from down south out of LA LA land.

A guy spent his days breaking into homes across So. Cal. stealing valuable items (watches, jewelry, precious metals, coins, paintings, etc.). He would break in, steal and leave without leaving obvious evidence that he was there, thus delaying the discovery of his thefts. He apparently is hooked on the "thrill of the hunt". Once he had his ill gotten gain, he lost interest in it and turned his attention to the next theft [Sound familiar cherrypickers?].

So he accumulates quite a big stash of stolen items. He chose to bury the items [for safe keepingimage]. Well he finally was caught, arrested and tossed in jail. While in the slammer, he decides to clense his soul. Thus he got a sheet of paper and drew a crude map showing the location of the buried treasure. The map even included the proverbial "X" to mark the spot where one should dig. He finished the map and gave it to the police. The police were skeptical, but they followed the map and started digging [the "X" was located adjacent to a freeway].

"Eureka". The police uncovered a large stash of valuable items. In the newspaper story was a picture of some of the items that were found buried. They included watches, jewelry and what looks to be gold or silver coins. The police were astonished at the size of the treasure. The police did not comment on value and stated that they were going to have the items appraised. The article gave a value of $15,000,000.00 for what the guy stole, including rare paintings valued at $10,000,000.00 alone [though the article did not state that the paintings were found buried].

Quite a story. One which may very well be picked up on by the general media and have legs.

All I can say is "Where is my metal detector?".

Comments

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,621 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Incredible.
  • STONESTONE Posts: 15,275
    Cool and sad at the same time.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This has not hit the major wires yet... amazing... I guess I should start MD'ing along major highways... image Cheers, RickO
  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭
    That is pretty cool. A modern day pirates treasure.

    And just think how much area he must have dug to fit it all. If he did not get caught this thing could have been huge in 10-20 years from now. image
  • robkoolrobkool Posts: 5,934 ✭✭✭✭✭
    WOW !!! A treasure too close to home... Wish I could have found it... image
  • It would also be nice to have a painting detector, I think. Respectfully, John Curlis
  • tmot99tmot99 Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭
    It's hit the major news. I just saw it on ABC News/Good Morning America.
  • BlindedByEgoBlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The sad part about finding a treasure like that would be knowing that it was made up of a bunch of other peoples' treasures that disappeared.image
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yep.. on the major news now... would sure be a thrill to find a cache like that.
    Cheers, RickO
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,621 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It would also be nice to have a painting detector, I think. Respectfully, John Curlis >>



    A good nose is not as good as a good eye.
  • One could hope if they found it and it was worth $15mil, maybe someone that rightfully owns it would want to give you a reward. Doubtful, but you never know.

  • SanctionIISanctionII Posts: 12,624 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I missed the GMA morning news coverage this morning on the story. Can someone who saw it summarize the GMA coverage of the story?
  • who knows what else this guy did in the course of the thefts..I wouldnt glorify the tale just yet
  • SkyManSkyMan Posts: 9,515 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Assuming someone innocently dug it up and kept the stuff, would he/she be prosecuted for possession of stolen goods?
  • Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If we said YES will you give it back. image


    Hoard the keys.
  • GrivGriv Posts: 2,804


    << <i>Assuming someone innocently dug it up and kept the stuff, would he/she be prosecuted for possession of stolen goods? >>



    Yes they would and that is because this would be quite apparent that these items were not "lost" but stolen and not only would you go to jail for possession of stolen goods, you would stand a good chance of being tied to the thefts. So if you need to "cleanse" your soul, send any maps you might have to me and I will take care of them for you. image
  • Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Assuming someone innocently dug it up and kept the stuff, would he/she be prosecuted for possession of stolen goods? >>



    Yes they would and that is because this would be quite apparent that these items were not "lost" but stolen and not only would you go to jail for possession of stolen goods, you would stand a good chance of being tied to the thefts. So if you need to "cleanse" your soul, send any maps you might have to me and I will take care of them for you. image >>

    That is why I like this board so many will help you with your problems. image


    Hoard the keys.

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file