A shadow was cast over the final day of the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland when a sports card dealer from New Jersey fell victim to a theft amounting to approximately $275,000 in cash on Sunday, July 28.
The unfortunate incident unfolded at the I-X Center, where the 48-year-old dealer was busy loading his SUV post-event. The staggering sum of money, along with two iPads, had been securely stowed away in a black briefcase within his vehicle. Although the dealer believed he had taken the necessary precautions by locking his SUV, the briefcase was surreptitiously snatched while he was momentarily unattended.
The Cleveland Police First District detectives swiftly launched an investigation and revealed that the briefcase, which contained an air tag for tracking, was later discovered on the I-X Center’s premises. Regrettably, the significant amount of cash that had been housed inside had vanished without a trace.
Authorities are currently on the lookout for two individuals believed to be involved in the theft, who were sighted making their escape in a blue Honda Odyssey van from the vicinity of the crime scene.
In efforts to apprehend the culprits and recover the stolen funds, the public is urged to step forward with any relevant information by contacting the First District Detective Unit at (216) 623-5118 or reaching out to the Crime Stoppers tip line at (216) 252-7463.