Rare Coins Stolen In Dalton

A con artist who made off with more than 70 rare coins worth close to 40,000 dollars.

Juan Lama, Dalton Stamp and Coin,"It’s obvious that he is targeting coin shops, have already had phone calls from four different shops that he has hit, one in DeKalb County, one in Marietta, one in Fort O and myself and that is just since this morning."

Dalton Stamp and Coin store owner Juan Lama says the suspect distracted him by falling over items in the store, asking probing questions about rare coins and also bargaining to buy money bags before saying he had to get a wallet out of his car and never returned.

Dalton Police Department say they are taking this matter very seriously and ask anyone with information to come forward as soon as possible.

"Bruce Frazier, Dalton Police Department,The suspect is a black male, he has a shaved head, he wore glasses, in the Dalton incident he was wearing a dark jacket which he stuffed the coins into and in the incident in Fort Oglethorpe he was wearing a black track-suit."

Lama says in 35 years of business he has never had anything stolen from his store and did not have insurance to cover the loss of his 70 rarest coins.

The same suspect has been connected to the theft of a rare 1000 dollar bill from a Fort Oglethorpe store.. which have been sold for up to 30,000 dollars to collectors across the country.

Dalton Police Department say coin or stamp thefts are very rare, but believe the suspect could strike again.

(706) 278-9085- Dalton Police Department