A quick-thinking jewelry store owner helped police catch a man suspected of stealing $250,000 worth of coins in Douglasville.
Empire Jewelers owner Glen Easterwood became skeptical when a man came into his store with bags of gold coins each worth about $2,000.
"He opened the bag, I looked and said, ‘this guy has just ruined somebody's day,'" said Easterwood.
The bags contained gold platinum and silver as well as rare, historic coins.
"He wanted $20,000 for them; it was worth between 250 and 300," said Easterwood.
Easterwood says he offered the man $80,000 and then began to assess the coins in order to buy time as he called police.
"We knew within 30 seconds what was going on, we just had to keep him here until the police got here," said Easterwood.
Police arrived and quickly arrested 19-year-old Shelby Clinton Houpe.
The coin collection, valued at $300,000, had been stolen the from a Carroll County home the night before.
The coins themselves are untraceable and could have quickly been melted down with nobody ever the wiser if Easterwood hadn't done something.
"He saw something and realized there was probably a victim out there and he had the ability to do something about it," said Capt. J.R. Davidson of the Douglasville Police Department.
"It's the biggest problem, the biggest hassle for us. It does not work out good for us if we buy something stolen," said Easterwood.
Police are looking into whether the 19-year-old they've arrested had accomplices.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:42 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:42:12 GMT
The NAACP is holding an information session about its planned gun buy-back program at 6 p.m. at a northwest Atlanta church as part of ongoing efforts to cut back on gun-related violence in the community.
The NAACP is holding an information session about its planned gun buy-back program at 6 p.m. at a northwest Atlanta church as part of ongoing efforts to cut back on gun-related violence in the community.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:05 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:05:37 GMT
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.Spartacus, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, was found dead in his handler's patrol car. Authorities later
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:52 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:52:32 GMT
After bonding out on a 15-count criminal indictment, DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis denied any wrongdoing, saying "I've done nothing wrong."
After bonding out on a 15-count criminal indictment, DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis denied any wrongdoing, saying "I've done nothing wrong. I would never, ever, ever do anything to violate the public trust."
1551 Briarcliff Rd., NE Atlanta, GA 30306
Main Number: (404) 875-5555 News Tips: (404) 898-0100
