Two men have pleaded guilty in connection with the theft of vintage baseball cards valued at over $2 million from a hotel in Strongsville, Ohio.
Defendants:
- Jacob Paxton, 27: An employee at the Best Western hotel where the theft occurred. He pleaded guilty to aggravated theft.
- Jason Bowling, 51: Pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property.
On April 17, a FedEx delivery containing 54 vintage baseball cards worth approximately $2,123,447 was dropped off at the Best Western hotel. The cards were shipped by Memory Lane Inc. for a sports card conference taking place nearby.
On April 18, a representative from Memory Lane Inc. arrived at the hotel to collect the package but was unable to locate it. Hotel staff and the representative searched for the package, and when it could not be found, the Strongsville Police Department was notified.
Investigation and Recovery
An investigation by Strongsville police revealed that Paxton had allegedly searched through several packages delivered to the hotel. He is accused of taking the baseball cards and transporting them to Bowling's residence in Cleveland.
On May 23, authorities executed a search warrant at Bowling's home. They recovered 52 of the 54 stolen baseball cards.
Missing Cards
Two valuable cards remain unaccounted for:
- A 1909 Ramly Walter Johnson card.
- A 1941 Ted Williams card.
Upcoming Sentencing
Both Paxton and Bowling are scheduled to be sentenced on December 16.
Value and Significance of the Stolen Cards
The stolen collection included rare and highly sought-after vintage baseball cards, significantly contributing to their estimated total value of over $2 million.
Authorities' Statement
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley commended the collaborative efforts that led to the swift recovery of most of the stolen items. The investigation highlighted the importance of security measures when handling high-value collectibles.
Community Impact
The incident has raised awareness about the security of valuable items during events and conferences. Collectors and vendors are encouraged to take additional precautions to safeguard their property.
Contact Information
Anyone with information about the missing cards is urged to contact the Strongsville Police Department.