Two men stood before a courtroom in Cuyahoga County, denying accusations of a heist involving over $2 million in vintage baseball cards taken from a Best Western hotel in Strongsville. Jacob Paxton, a 27-year-old hotel staff member, and Jason Bowling, aged 50, each entered a plea of not guilty to charges related to the high-value theft.
Paxton faced allegations of aggravated theft totaling $1.5 million or more, along with tampering with evidence. His bond was set at $50,000, with a pending court appearance scheduled for July 15. On the other hand, Bowling was accused of receiving stolen property and had his bond set at $100,000, also waiting for a court date on the same day.
The saga began when a FedEx delivery person dropped off a package containing 54 prized vintage baseball cards worth a whopping $2,123,447 at the hotel on April 17. These precious items were meant for Memory Lane Inc., a company participating in a nearby sports card conference.
A shocking discovery unfolded the next day when a representative from Memory Lane Inc. arrived at the hotel to pick up the package, only to find it missing. This prompted a swift response from the authorities as Strongsville police launched an investigation into the disappearance of the valuable baseball cards.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities uncovered that Paxton had rifled through multiple packages delivered to the hotel and absconded with the prized baseball cards to Bowling’s residence in Cleveland. A search warrant executed on May 23 at Bowling’s home revealed 52 of the 54 stolen cards, leaving just two outstanding – a 1909 Ramly Walter Johnson card and a 1941 Ted Williams card.
The missing cards, with a significant historical and monetary value, have prompted a plea from authorities for anyone with information to come forward. Individuals who may have any details regarding the whereabouts of the stolen memorabilia are urged to contact the Strongsville Police at 440.580.3247, referencing report #2024-000693.
The unfolding drama of the missing baseball cards has captivated both the local community and collectors alike. As the legal proceedings continue, the question remains: will the two missing cards resurface, or are they destined to become part of a mysterious tale in the world of sports memorabilia heists?
