A somber ending marred the closing day of the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland as a sports card dealer fell victim to a costly theft. The dealer, hailing from New Jersey, reported the theft of approximately $275,000 in cash from his vehicle on Sunday, July 28, leaving attendees shocked and concerned.
The unfortunate incident unfolded at the I-X Center, where the 48-year-old dealer was in the process of loading his SUV after the convention. The stolen cash, alongside two iPads, had been securely kept inside a black briefcase within the vehicle. Despite believing that he had locked his SUV, the dealer returned to find the briefcase gone in the blink of an eye.
Cleveland Police First District detectives swiftly took action, informing that the missing briefcase, which housed an air tag for tracking, was eventually found on I-X Center premises. Regrettably, the substantial amount of cash it contained was nowhere to be found, leaving behind a trail of uncertainty and distress.
Authorities are currently on the lookout for two suspects who were spotted fleeing the scene in a blue Honda Odyssey van shortly after the theft occurred. In their efforts to bring those responsible to justice, the Cleveland Police urge anyone with potentially useful information to reach out to the First District Detective Unit at (216) 623-5118 or the Crime Stoppers tip line at (216) 252-7463.
As the sports community grapples with this unfortunate incident, the hope remains that the perpetrators will be swiftly apprehended, and the stolen cash recovered in due course. A bittersweet conclusion to an otherwise exciting convention reflects the harsh reality of criminal activities that can unexpectedly overshadow celebrations and gatherings of enthusiasts.