$100,000 Coin Heist Suspects Took Notes

The suspects wanted in connection with a weekend gold coin robbery at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium did their homework in advance of the crime, even taking notes.

That’s according to the Sarasota Police Department, which has released new video of the suspects that was shot by surveillance cameras a full day ahead of the theft.

In the video, three of the four suspects wanted in connection with the Saturday theft are seen visiting Frank Cox Production’s Coin Show & Sale on Friday. The trio showed up at the 801 N. Tamiami Trail auditorium around 3:30 p.m., checked out locations, visited vendors and then sat down in the lobby taking notes, an email from the department stated.

Based on the video, Sarasota detectives say the three were laying plans to return Saturday and swipe the coins. And, return they did.

Police say the three, along with a fourth person, swiped a number of rare gold coins sometime between 4 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday after a number of vendors had left the show. One of the four suspects was captured on film walking up to a vendor table, putting a bag down and swiping several coins. A few minutes later, two of the four returned to the table, took more coins and left again.

The coins have an estimated value between $50,000 and $100,000.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Det. Kenton Montegna at 941-954-7092. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

Photo courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department

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