Coin collector is coin thief, deputies say

[Arizona Coin Collector]

FROM:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2009/02/coin-collector.html

February 14, 2009

Coin collector is coin thief, deputies say

ST. PETERSBURG -- It was just another Saturday
morning at the Disabled American Veterans hall,
where the St. Petersburg Coin Club was having a
regularly scheduled show.

Then, a scandal. One of the club's own, James
Marino, 62, was arrested on a charge of grand
theft, accused of lifting eight coins worth
$3,000 in under an hour from an undercover
detective posing as a novice coin collector.

After bonding out of jail, Marino told the St.
Petersburg Times that he was the president of
the club a long time ago. He would not comment
on his arrest.

"I've consulted with an attorney, and I've been
advised not to make any statements at this time,"
he said.

The sheriff's investigation began in December,
after someone complained that Marino was stealing
from other collectors at the shows. Deputies began
an investigation that ended with the 9:30 a.m.
arrest at 4801 37th Street N.

The sting started about 8:30 a.m., after the
Sheriff's Office bugged the hall with video
surveillance equipment. A detective with the
sheriff's Tactical Apprehension and Control Unit
posed as a novice vendor using coins belonging to
other club members. Within minutes, Marino showed
up at the detective's display table. In less than
an hour, Marino made several trips to the table,
stealing eight coins, deputies say. Marino then
placed the coins in a specific container in his
own display area, according to the Sheriff's
Office.

When detectives confronted him, Marino tried to
"explain away" his possession of the stolen
coins, officials said.

Detectives didn't buy it. He was arrested and
booked in the Pinellas County Jail.

The investigation doesn't end there. Deputies
are asking anyone with information about coin
theft to contact Detective Joesph Burns of the
Sheriff's Office, or to remain anonymous, call
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer

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