In a tale that seems ripped straight from a Hollywood heist movie, two men have found themselves in hot water over the alleged theft of vintage baseball cards worth a staggering $2 million. The daring caper took place at a Best Western hotel in Strongsville, leading to a courtroom drama that has captured the attention of many.
Jacob Paxton, a 27-year-old employee at the hotel, stood before the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas and declared his innocence by pleading not guilty. He faces charges of aggravated theft of $1.5 million or more, along with tampering with evidence. Paxton’s bail was fixed at $50,000, and he is due to make his next appearance in court on July 15.
The second defendant, Jason Bowling, aged 50, also chose the path of denial as he entered a not guilty plea for the charge of receiving stolen property. With a bond set at $100,000, Bowling is slated to return to court on the same date as Paxton.
The elaborate heist came to light when a FedEx delivery person mistakenly left a parcel containing 54 irreplaceable vintage baseball cards, valued at an eye-watering $2,123,447, at the Strongsville hotel on April 17. The intended recipient was Memory Lane Inc., a company participating in a sports card conference in the neighboring vicinity.
Upon realizing the disappearance of the package the following day, a representative from Memory Lane Inc. raised the alarm, prompting an immediate police investigation into the matter. Subsequent inquiries led the Strongsville police to Paxton, who had reportedly intercepted the delivery and spirited the valuable cards away to Bowling’s residence in Cleveland.
The law finally caught up with the accused duo on May 23, when a search warrant was executed at Bowling’s home. The authorities were successful in recovering 52 out of the 54 stolen cards, but two crucial pieces from the collection, a 1909 Ramly Walter Johnson card and a 1941 Ted Williams card, still elude authorities.
To aid in the recovery effort, Strongsville Police have issued an appeal to the public for any information regarding the whereabouts of the missing cards. Concerned citizens are urged to reach out to the authorities on 440.580.3247, quoting report #2024-000693 for reference.
As the legal proceedings unfold and the search for the two elusive cards continues, the escapade involving the stolen baseball cards from a seemingly unsuspecting hotel in Strongsville serves as a gripping reminder of the unexpected mysteries that can unravel in everyday settings.
