Robbers
net $4M in coin convention heist By TRAVIS REED, Associated
Press Writer
Wed Jan 10, 4:51 PM ET
ORLANDO,
Fla. - Robbers in surgical masks pulled off a $4 million coin
heist at knifepoint outside a coin dealers convention, getting
away with gold, silver and a rare 1843 set of currency once
owned by President Tyler, authorities said.
It was the second time in
two years that the Florida United Numismatists' annual coin
show had been hit, and this year's loss was much larger.
On Saturday, a Minnesota coin
dealer's employee was unloading an SUV outside a luxury hotel
when a robber in a surgical mask and a hooded sweater grabbed
him from behind and held a knife to his throat, witnesses
and the victim told authorities. Two other masked men grabbed
a suitcase from the SUV, according to authorities.
"It's a brazen happening.
This kind of thing doesn't happen often at all, at knifepoint,"
said Robert Brueggeman, head of the Professional Numismatists
Guild and owner of Positive Protection, which provided security
at the convention.
Sheriff's
Deputy Carlos Padilla said the coins were extremely rare,
which could make it difficult for a thief to sell them. "I
guess it makes you wonder if the people that committed this
crime even knew what they were getting," Padilla said.
Last year, thieves stole about
$450,000 worth of coins by breaking into cars, most of them
while dealers ate in restaurants.
This year, the convention's
organizers had increased security with more off-duty sheriff's
deputies and a 24-hour secured room where dealers could store
their coins, convention coordinator Cindy Wibker said. The
four-day show attracted 1,750 dealers.