Stolen coins a $10,000 value - Elderly Marietta man was robbed, suspect now sought
Arizona Coin Collector
http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/509601.html
Stolen coins a $10,000 value
Elderly Marietta man was robbed, suspect now sought
From Staff Reports POSTED: January 1, 2009
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is looking for
a man suspected of stealing about $10,000 worth of
old and collectible coins from an elderly neighbor's
house.
(Kenneth Sparks Mug Shot)
http://www.mariettatimes.com/?page=photos.largeImage&showlayout=0&loc=news&photoSyndDir=&Photo=509601_1.jpg
A warrant for second-degree felony burglary has been
obtained for Kenneth Sparks, 31, of 319 Simpson
St., Marietta, according to a release from the
sheriff's office.
Homeowner Frank Chute, of 312 Simpson St., was not
at home when his daughter reported Tuesday someone
that had stolen the coins, two handguns and a DVD
player from her father's house, the release says.
On Tuesday afternoon, an employee of Chase Bank's
Kroger branch contacted the sheriff's office and
said a man cashed in a large quantity of old coins
with a face value of about $300, sheriff's
Maj. John Winstanley said.
"They felt it suspicious that he was trying to cash
in those kinds of coins," he said, adding that a
number of Eisenhower dollar coins were among those
the man brought to the bank.
The man, later identified as Sparks, reportedly
said at the bank that he had a lot more old coins
he planned to exchange for cash.
A deputy obtained and executed a search warrant at
Sparks' residence. The search revealed a large
amount of coins in an ammunition can, a DVD player
and a blue safe, the release says. Chute's daughter
identified the items as belonging to her father.
It was not immediately apparent Wednesday whether
the guns had been recovered.
Although they lived nearby, Winstanley said it
does not appear Sparks and Chute knew each other.
Winstanley said it does not appear the coins were
stolen because of their value as collectibles.
"He went and cashed them in for straight-up face
value, even though some of those coins were five
times (face value)," he said.
Sparks' current whereabouts are unknown. Anyone
with information about him is asked to contact
the sheriff's office at (740) 376-7070.
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