$2,000,000 Sports Card Theft At Card Showđ€ą
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 28. 07. 2024
- Sports cards are a blast. We love to collect them, invest in them, and build a valuable collection. The good and bad thing however is that some cards can become extremly valuable and targets for others to steal. This is the case and what happened at the Dallas Card Show this past week. A collector had over two million dollards worth of sports cards stolen from his booth. In this video we will discuss our thoughts on the state of the hobby, the Michael Jordan PSA 10/10 autos, and much more!
When Philmington said âcard people tend to be pretty cheap on things others than cardsâ thatâs true. Iâve dropped $2000 on a card or Game Used jersey but I really stress myself out over spending over $500 to get new tires for my car or to go on vacation. Definitely some type of disconnect going on there.
@@rhocke4590 Chris here - absolutely agree. I havenât bought a new shirt in over a year.
That's because necessities don't bring us joy. This is just human nature.
@@vintagecollector5340 đŻ
Vendors should get a wire lock, once you pack up, wire all your cases together. That way one case canât be removed by itself.
@@AbelinVegas Chris here - great idea!
Armoured trucks carrying a couple of million dollars have multiple armed guards. This $2M box was left unwatched on the floor near convenient entrance/exit access, and was lightweight and portable. Did it have a post-it note on it saying 'PLEASE take me!'?
@@DocReasonable Yeah, got to figure that everyone at these shows is going to start reconsidering their security measures.
@@DocReasonable Chris here and I agree with jeff that this will definitely change the way a lot of dealers approach shows.
@@SpitballinCards Let's hope so, Chris!
7:43 I agree with added security, but that extra cost should be added in table fees. Definitely not entry fees.
@@sonnyyang5167 Chris here - that probably makes more sense. Good point!
Portion of the hobby are not great people. Been true for decades. Start at the top.
@@SreyAun-sd1eb Chris here - sadly youâre right. There have been dirtbags around the hobby since the start.
It will be interesting to hear the whole story if these people are identified and the investigation progresses. No one knows what truth will eventually come out.
@@Romdejar Chris here - what âtruthâ are you suggesting here? Seems pretty straightforward.
@@SpitballinCards Chris, it has been my experience that investigations always start a particular point. However, sometimes, investigations end at a place that few contemplated at the beginning. I'm not speculating about anything, but I find investigations, when conducted competently, can be interesting journeys. The goal of any investigation is to find the truth. Hopefully, that happens here and all of the responsible parties are held accountable.
@@Romdejar fair enough - I agree with your final sentence completely.
@@Romdejar Like insurance fraud.
another things is all the people who are a visitor needs to leave at the end of the show
@@thomasb6169 Chris here. - agreed. In this case it seems they stuck around and weâre cleaning up to not draw attention.
This type of thing has been going on for decades. In the 80's I was at shows where albums, boxes, even cases were stolen. Lots of moving parts and people when the show ends. Hope the cards are found.
@@davebolaton7639 Chris here - I hope so too. These assholes only need a few seconds of distraction to wreak havoc.
A couple years ago in Kansas City a postal worker was stealing cards in the mail and then selling them at shows he got caught
@@mikekeeler6362 yes!! I remember that! What a jackass.
Honestly they probably scouted this before the show even started, in vintage Facebook groups Ashsh was posting in these groups his inventory and that he was going to be at the Dallas card show. Hopefully that can help narrow down the searches
@@dylanl3845 Chris here - thatâs a great point!
If this is as professional as it looks, it might be funded and backed by 1 large buyer that doesn't Care if they are stolen nor if they can be identified. It happens a lot in the high end art world. It's possible these cards won't see the light of day until said buyer dies and his kids try to sell them.?.?.?
Almost certainly correct.
@@Gram72534 Chris here - this seems like very likely situation. Itâs a hell of a risk to take without a buyer already lined up.
I remember the first show I was at in 1990 where Mr. Mint had his Honus Wagner on display he also was packing heat under his jacket.
@@MRW2276 Chris here - I remember those Mr Mint ads in Beckett magazine!
The only time I've had something stolen in the mail is when Topps sent me a box of 2021 Bowman Chrome, and someone took it at FedEx. Topps couldn't get me a replacement either, so I just ended up with a refund. The most expensive card I own is a Pokemon card, and while I'd love a Hank Aaron '54 Topps rookie, things like this scare me a lot from buying one, even in a low grade.
@@Bryan45552 Chris here - glad you got a refund at least.
Collecting is fun, challenging, frustrating, rewarding all at once - but it can also be scary when things like this happen and we start imagining the worst case scenarios.
It's possible that these guys already had a buyer to purchase them. They might have just been the middle man and had no problem unloading the cards.
@@marshallkahn3342 Chris here - this is very possible. Maybe the only way theyâd assume this kind of risk. Idk. I just want them all caught and prosecuted. Asap.
Hope Ash gets them back!
@@justinmosher6557 Chris here - we all do!!
Sad this happenedâŠNot surprised. Hopefully there will be better security procedures in place at all shows.
@@DriveForShow Chris here - I would guess weâll see some changes at the National and the big Burbank show in August.
I thought about this security issue for many years now and wondered how many dealers at local card shows are actually conceal carrying? Asking for a friend.
Good point.
@@ThatsWhatSheSaidSportsCards Chris here valid question.
The victim has zero negligence. If something doesnât belong to you, keep your damn hands off.
@@fernandodenver1221 đŻđŻđŻ
Back in 2020 I lost a package sent to PSA by USPS. And it was nothing but bangers. I asked what happened to USPS and said unfortunately things happen. And it was my first submission ever đą
đĄ
Ugh, man. That's one of a collector's worse nightmares.
Thatâs sickening đ€ź
@@johnnylv5452 Iâm sorry! Absolutely nauseating.
If you steal a unique item that can't be resold easily due to it being too distinct I would expect any thief to have a buyer lined up before the theft. Also, if you own 2 million in cards... this is NOT trying times.... should have insurance.
@@SS-pc6dg Chris here- Iâm very curious about how the thieves are planning to sell the cards. I believe PSA has already flagged all the certs as stolen. You just have to wonder if youâre right - if thereâs a potential buyer already lined up, who doesnât care.
my question is why do the Jordan autos still have the old cert numbers? If they were cracked and re-graded, they should have new cert #'s. Beyond that, there's little to 0 chance they all stayed (actual) gem mint 10s after being cracked, signed, and then graded by today's standards. Ridiculous.
@@dustinp5299 Chris here - interesting point about the certification numbers. I hadnât thought of that.
It not impossible to keep the cards in good shape while cracking. And Iâm sure Jordan knows how to handle cards at this point.
@@SpitballinCards I agree with that point, certainly possible to keep them in roughly the same condition while cracking/signing. I guess my bigger thing is there's no way they're all getting 10s by today's grading standards, especially with lower pop cards like the '86 Jordan in a 10. Whole thing just seems shady to me.
@@dustinp5299 Iâd also love to know what it all cost the collector.
20:07 This is a great video for the positives of the PSA Vault.
@@AbelinVegas Chris here - agreed! The mail scares me.
that young dude Ethan started a small hobby shop and they started robbing him right away. i was glad to see sports card radio talk about it on their channel.
That young boy Ethan a huge target he all over CZcams he needs to be careful
@@forpetesake20 Chris here - itâs so sad that things like that just keep happening.
I heard there is a $70,000 reward offered for any information on these bad guys. These guys will he caught.
@@briancrest186 Chris here - yep! Seems unlikely that nobody will get recognized. Especially if the FBI gets involved
That's why I print my usps and ups labels that are higher with pirateship. They actually help file insurance claims and have a much higher approval rate.
@@richardbianco9674 thank for the tip!
Interesting, I'll have to look into this. Thanks!
Interesting. Iâm a big Pirateship user.
@Philmington especially with ups it's a piece of cake. Usps still does make it a bit difficult but it's still easier thru them
There seems to be quite a few comments suggesting insurance fraud. I can't see it myself. That would have to be the most hairbrained attempt at insurance fraud I have ever seen, or ever heard of.
@@1stBowman Chris here and I agree!
Iâm not a fan of victim blaming in any situation and thereâs been a lot of that going around too!
People have been stealing cards at card shows for years
theses guys can be working for someone just to get pay to steal the case of cards"" to hand the case
to some one else""
Like the movie "" The Thomas Crown affair with Steve McQueen""
Why can we see the moon so clearly but security camera's are garbage? SMH
I hate the redemption exchange. I fully understand that Fanatics inherited a redemption mess from Topps, but thereâs people who have pulled these massive cards and have been told âsorry itâs too late.â Now other collectors will get them at random. Thatâs terrible.
Jeff here: 100%! It's really infuriating -- they are giving away cards that really aren't theirs to give away, they belong to the people that pulled the redemption.
@@thekeithy4999 Chris here - absolutely my thoughts exactly!
With my collection, all cards on display are numbered /25, /50 /199 etc etc plus have photos of the cards in case of theft. All my No numbered cards are all locked away. It sucks because i love some of my no numbered cards.
@@justincranston3925 chris here - I feel you. Iâd love to display my cards at home but itâs just too dangerous. Itâs A shame. We all want to look at our cards!!
As for the Jordans, there is no way he did this out of the goodness of his heart. More than likely he lost a wager with this guy and that is why he signed them.
It is complicated but they đŻ can get away with it. First those images are terrible! 2nd when they crack them they can sell them slowly to older people not in the hobby and not on social media that have no idea about the theft. And when they sell it they can also use a disguise and sell it for cash. They can even sell it internationally this way. But they will be lucky to get $500k for those cards cracked. More like $200k and they will have to divide by how many people were in the scheme. The seller did tell me he had insurance.
@@guitarlearningtoplay Chris here - youâre right, but what a looong game to play after taking so much to steal these cards.
@@SpitballinCards Patients is the way to get away with most thefts because the feds are on the highest alert in the first year after the crime then they move on and the media is fresh. I just watch a documentary on Netflix about the âHollywoodâ;bank robber in Seattle. He got away with the most bank robberies for a decade, then he rushed to do his last robbery and got greedy too too much that he wasnât able to find the tracking devices quick enough. I will say that when you have a team like that inevitably someone gets impatient and wants to get paid quickly and thatâs how they can get caught
They didn't even bother disguising themselves
Yeah, some bold, bold tools.
Maybe their disguises are so good we can't tell they're disguises.
@@DocReasonable Good Point. It would be next level if their ink was fake, too.
@@DocReasonable like the infamous Hollywood bank robber... mother of God
They def need to look at the guy and make sure its not an insurance job and do not think that's not a possibility because it could be! I also think the $2mill is exaggerated a bit...
I am sad no one thinks that the Jordan rookie with an on card auto isn't a big deal. I agree they should have used another ink but he is the Goat and to have his rookie in a 10 with his auto is amazing and would trade my entire collection for one of those.
I honestly am surprised more people arenât mugged or robbed at gunpoint as people leave shows on the streets, in parking lots, etc. while carrying their cases. People in Chicago (close to my home) have guns shoved in their faces for farrrrrr less than cards just openly mid-day. Thugs donât donât care these days. Eventually, I wonder if thieves catch on to how much these cards are worth people carry around.
Yes this was crazy. A Japanese also had his suitcases and packages he bought at dodgers stadium stolen as he was locking his carry on suitcase at LAX. Crazy
@@godisgreat8462 terrible!!!
Silver would have looked better and it won't fade. That blue sharpie will eventually fade, especially if it is exposed to light.
@@robertnunnery3697 Chris here - this is so interesting. Obviously a lot of money went into setting this whole thing up. They mustâve discussed pen color. Iâd love to see an interview with the collector. Maybe in psa magazine.
I hope they get caught and realize how long their prison sentence will be with that much money stolen
@@whitneydunlap2004 đŻđŻđŻđŻ
I sell alot on ebay, and have had usps lose a package. It was pretty easy to get insurance payout from them. I can say if you sold something and have to refund someone be sure to insure it for double its value, so you can get reimbursed plus refund your customer. There are some good shohai ohtani cards lost out there.
@@1johnlynch Chris here - that is a GREAT TIP!! Thanks for sharing!
I think that it's pretty messed up that the biggest so-called protectors of the hobby!!! Has not came out with a video in regards to this theft!!! Where is sports card radio at??? Are you too busy buying your rolexes?? Are you waiting for Geoff Wilson to say something wrong???
This happened two years ago at the national store in Jersey like 2 million dollars worth of cards were stolen
@@mikekeeler6362 jeez, this has to stop!!
If these guys are true collectors then the fact they now have the cards should be good enough for them.
@@starscreamjesse2121 Chris here - đđ thatâs a massive IF!
@@SpitballinCards indeed
I'm not sure of what constitutes a federal offence but I do know that Texas has one of the harshest sentencing regimes in the US. They picked a bad state to commit their crime in. I'm guessing their are locals.
@@1stBowman Chris here - I have so many questions about the thieves and what theyâre thinking.
I have. A 1957 Yankees championship picture ,sepia blue.all yankees team members signed the back .45 signatures.
@@normwicksyoutube4325 sounds awesome!
This sucks
@@lift7227 there are dirt bags in every facet of life. Itâs frustrating as hell.
$70,000 reward from the owner now !
I work security at major events and love cards let me know
@@Gavanoproductions Chris here - hopefully youâll start working some big shows!
Allegedly Ash was in on it for a huge insurance claimđ€
@@777KZL Chris here - thatâs an absolutely huge accusation to throw around. Iâd be careful repeating things like that without any existence or before any charges are filed. Itâs Reckless to spread it around like that.
What I think is kind of funny is that of all the achievements Jordan has someone asked Jordan to inscribe 87/88 DPOY on a 10 rookie.
@@ShellyTheTurtle1 defense is important!! But yeah, I get your point!!
Chris was not feeling Scottie Bâs jokes đ
Chris never feels my jokes. đą
@@LeoMcGregor1 Scottie made jokes???
cheap fun breaks does an amazing break down of the theft
@@forpetesake20 Iâll check it out
3 good and 1 bad. You choose which is which?
@@jmilb10053 2EZ
@@SpitballinCards I am not easy but I am cheap.
1980s cardshow... come on... its 2024!
Venturing into Sports card Radio territory
I'm assuming the Jordan autos are owned by Probstein given he owns so many PSA 10 Jordan RCs and would have the clout with PSA to have a rep present.
Saying Chicago is more "secure" than Atlantic City is hilarious. đ C'mon TY, we know you're not from the cities.
@@rozilla66 Chris here - Iâve been Atlantic City more times than I want to admit and in the winter it has a Blade Runner feel to it for sure!
@@SpitballinCards Chicago is the center of organized crime. If anyone knows about the value of card, they do. I have a hard time believing tweakers and zombies taking time to know what these things are worth
On vacay right now. Left my cards on my shelves. Fingers crossed...
Yeah cuz a thief is gonna upcharge a 500k card come on guys
Why does Ty aka T-Pott always to have two names?
When you have the swag he does, one name just isn't enough!
@@Blabbin_Bout_Slabbin đŻđŻ
This could be a case of insurance fraud. If not, it's a bit irresponsible of the dealer to not have more people with him to safeguard that kind of a valuable collection. I'm actually glad I don't have any high end stuff like that. I'd be pretty nervous. I'm a regular roller as Chris Sewall would say
nah. Way too risky. Cards so public now too. Crazy level of stupid to try something like that.
@@willzsportscards The hobby unfortunately is like the x files saying, trust no one.
@@chrisc4264 youâre right about the hobby having lots of shady people in it, but I agree with @willzsportscards
@@willzsportscards All they have to do is crack and re sub
This is why we gotta go back to the ole pony express. They ran lettersâŠthey can run PWEâs EASY!
@@Fudgetheglobalists Chris here - Iâve driven as much as 11 hours round trip in a day to complete a sale in person and not risk shipping. Totally worth it.
The guy on the top left resembles Zack Hample.
They look like taxi/uber drivers to me đ€
@@Homebasecards đđđ
Probably spot on
These guys chop their hands off doing that everyone will know if their choices
Huh????
@@freedomdeadincanada5216 Chris here - I think I get what youâre saying. Chip off the thievesâ hands! I mean, it is tempting.
Scott, whatâs the insurance company again?
Phil, Chris, Jeff, & Ty what do you all use for insurance? Any advantages you can say on each
Next is a smash and grab at a show. 100 people could take $1k usd ea at a CA show they will not even be able to press charges!
@@no30036 Chris here - I sincerely hope it. But itâs not impossible.
I think smash and grabbers would be met with a lot of resistance at a card show. It's not like an apple store with a few customers. There are a lot of adult men at these shows who won't allow smash and grabbers. Employees at stores are instructed not to touch people cause big companies don't want to be sued. A dealer will absolutely start throwing punches as will customers. I don't think it will go well for the criminals.
Not my favorite card show, â Dallas Card Show â đ±đ±đ±đąđąđą
@@johnnylv5452 thanks for watching!
đ»đ»
Iâm sorry but the owner has to take some blame for not securing something worth that much money better . Feel terrible for him and hope he gets them back but I would never leave them like that so negligently
The suitcase is in a volcano
@@djt.frosty69 I hope not!
Lmao taking about your "audience" and "the hobby" like an average collector can afford a 52 Mantle. The bubble hasn't even come close to bursting yet.
đ«Ą Scott been one of your Subs of your Channel for a awhile i cant Rock wit the Rest of the Crew âđ»đ„ž
You could never gather enough modern cards to equal 2 million dollars. You would have to steal a couple of U-Haul trucks of modern cards to equal that much
@@jiminfla5951 Chris see - I donât know. Bowman chrome auto superfractors have sold for insanely high amounts!!
Troutâs once hit $4mil!
I told another channel that I know the guy in the photo but I don't know him as a friend but iv delt with him at card shows his name is Michael shimt he 38 years old
@@jordanbrauer7706 please tell the police!
@@SpitballinCards no one will give me a number they said I was lying and wanted attention I hate when people steal from others that f up let me know the numbers and I get back to you when I get out of work I even have his PayPal last year he bought cards from me I save thing cause you can claim the stuff on my taxes even if we have to wait he will be at the national I bet on it will all get him I wonder if Roth cards has eny idea or card collector I know them both personally from card sales
There tweakers
I have a question that maybe you guys could discuss in an upcoming episode. Do you think when donruss gets the rights back for baseball does the Rated Rookie go back to being the go to and iconic rookie card for each player like it used to be? appreciate your thoughts thanks!
Fanatics has all the Topps trademarks, but Panini will still own the Donruss trademarks, like Rated Rookies -- unless they sell the rights to Fanatics.
@@Blabbin_Bout_Slabbin you're right! that sucks
@@teddo997 yeah, I canât see fanatics letting the license go.
Maybe if they buy donruss from panini?
Damn I wish they donât get caught honestly if I could get a few cards for super cheap I would buy a few and crack it out and hold it for years ⊠people wonât say this but Iâm sure a lot of people feel the way I do
Insurance never pays for 100% of you losses. GL
Why has noone said the guy left 2million dollars on cards lying around its a joke
@@Kiwicards Chris here - not uncommon to see cases worth this kind of inventory at larger shows.
Thieves were well coordinated. Couldâve happened to any of us.
He's packing up with his kids. I'm guessing he was the first to be distracted and told his sons to keep packing and one by one they politely respond to make believe questions. I would have expected that he'd be keeping one eye on the tables but his guys have worked a lot of shows and he's confident in them.
What about the guy who accepted 80K in a shoebox at a card show and did not even count it. When he later inspected it there was only 1K in there. I think they apprehended the guy who did it. This may have happened at Atlantic City. I hate saying this because it may not be true in this case but perhaps many of these old time dealers are straight forward folks who are perhaps somewhat naive and too trusting.
@@1stBowman Chris here - I didnât see that story and honestly, I donât want to read it.
@@SpitballinCards I'm fairly sure it happened at the last National in AC. The dealer knew the guy and had been talking to him for a number of days prior to the transaction. The fraudster was eventually tracked down as his identity was known and he was apprehended in another state. Pretty sure on this. Just not 100% sure it was at the National in AC. A desperate move not dissimilar to this because the chances of getting away with it are close to zero.
Damn I wish they donât get caught honestly if I could get a few cards for super cheap I would buy a few and crack it out and hold it for years ⊠people wonât say this but Iâm sure a lot of people feel the way I do