Steve Lipary opened LC Galleries in the San Francisco Bay area back in 1980. He's seen a lot since then, but nothing quite like what happened to his store last Friday. In the early morning darkness of New Year's Day, someone rode up to the front of his sports and celebrity memorabilia shop on a small motorcycle, planted an explosive device to the front window and lit the … [Read more...]
Topps Tells Customers of Online Security Breach
Hackers gained access to Topps’ website during the summer and early fall, possibly compromising customer information. On Wednesday, the company sent out an email to those who may have been affected by the security breach (see below). Topps stated it became aware on October 12 of thus year that “one or more intruders gained unauthorized access to its website.” Topps … [Read more...]
Fugitive in Violent Robbery of Collector Caught in Mexico
One of two men facing charges in a violent home invasion robbery of a Chicago area collector has been captured after fleeing to Mexico. An investigation by the Cook County Sheriff’s Central Warrant Unit, the Wheeling Police Department and the FBI led to apprehension of 28-year-old Steve Chung in Guadalajara. Another man, Kristopher Muzzall, remains in jail and facing … [Read more...]
Notes: Collector Says Mastro Cost Him $300K; Home Invasion Arrest; Panini Signs Wall
The judge in the federal fraud case against Bill Mastro is still taking letters from those who may have dealt with Mastro Auctions as a sentencing date looms next year. Several have been filed with the latest coming from a 55-year-old attorney who claims Mastro cheated him out of $300,000 near the end of the company’s tenure. Jeffrey W. Evers told Judge Ronald Guzman that … [Read more...]
PA Cops: Crime Spree Began With Baseball Cards
Police in Pennsylvania say they've cracked a theft ring that began with a haul of baseball cards from a K-Mart and continued for months, netting thousands of dollars worth of items for a mom, her boyfriend and her son. Officers say Christopher Frances Damaio, 39, Theresa Lynn Warner, 40, and her 17-year-old son stole more than $35,000 worth of collectibles and other items … [Read more...]
Card Collector Says Payment Frozen By Dealer’s Crime
Tampa Bay Rays' fan and collector Joe Lalley is a single father of two who says he really didn't want to sell part of his collection but he needed cash. A St. Petersburg, Fla., card shop called Sportsmasters offered him $1200, paying him $400 cash and the rest via Paypal. But when he tried to collect, Paypal said the account that sent him the money had been … [Read more...]
6 Stolen Jerseys Recovered; Collectors Donate More
The thief who hid inside a Canadian auto dealership and then stole signed NHL jerseys destined for a charity auction may be having a change of heart. Six of the ten pilfered jerseys were recovered in an office building on Wednesday. The case has gotten a lot of attention in British Columbia, in part because of the video and pictures that show the crime taking place and … [Read more...]
Crime Beat: Hookers, Break-Ins…and Happy Endings
Burglars run but can't hide permanently from police... and a guy with two "passions" make headlines. … [Read more...]