Half million in rare coins stolen
Arizona Coin Collector
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=6535140&rss=rss-wpvi-article-6535140
WPVI-TV Philadelphia
Half million in rare coins stolen
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 6:10 PM
By Nora Muchanic
WEST WINDSOR, N.J. - December 2, 2008 - (WPVI) -- Thieves
used a torch and chisel to get through a 2,000 pound safe
to steal a coin collection worth about $500,000.
Ron Cohen of West Windsor, New Jersey, is still in the
state of shock.
While he was away on vacation with his grandchildren
recently, thieves broke into that safe in the garage
of his Village Grande home, clearing out his beloved
coin collection worth as much as a half million dollars.
It's believed the thieves, who carefully planned the
heist, worked for almost 6 hours, torching their way
through tempered steel and 4 inches of cement to
unlock the safe.
"They hit me the night I left," Cohen said. "They
had to figure it was cash."
But instead they found 12 black and white binders
filled with valuable coins and some jewelry that
belonged to Cohen's wife.
Cohen thinks the thieves knew he'd be out of town.
"Had to be somebody who did work at the house and
tipped off somebody," Cohen said.
The thieves left their shoeprints behind along
with a handful of coins, like an1862 Indian head
cent in mint condition.
"Part of the fun of collecting coins is, 'Abe
Lincoln could have held this in his hand.' When
you collect something for 50 years, each coin
becomes like a child," said Cohen.
Cohen is trying to get the word out so that
fellow coin collectors can be on the lookout
should someone try to sell the stolen goods.
If that hasn't already happened.
"Hopefully whoever buys this collection sees
this and says, 'You know what? I got his
coins. I've got to give them back,'" said Cohen.
Neighbors apparently noticed this hole in the
garage door and saw a vehicle parked in Cohen's
driveway but never called police.
Police are investigating, but unless an honest
coin dealer or pawn shop owner recognizes Cohen's
collection he's out of luck.
He didn't carry insurance on the coins because
it was too expensive.
..
Lorrie S.
One point of solace is that whoever needed the coins was probably poor and
even hungry. Now they can put food on the table for their family.
Bruce Remick
> FROM:
> http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=6535140&rss=rss-wpvi-article-6535140
>
> WPVI-TV Philadelphia
>
> Half million in rare coins stolen
>
> Tuesday, December 02, 2008 6:10 PM
> By Nora Muchanic
>
> WEST WINDSOR, N.J. - December 2, 2008 - (WPVI) -- Thieves
> used a torch and chisel to get through a 2,000 pound safe
> to steal a coin collection worth about $500,000.
Somehow, half a million bucks worth of coins and garage safe don't seem to
go together. Maybe it's just me.