Man In China Returns Stolen Kobe Bryant Jersey To Lower Merion

ARDMORE, PA — More than two years ago, two people broke into Lower Merion High School and stole memorabilia from basketball legend Kobe Bryant's time with the Lower Merion Aces basketball team.

And now, Lower Merion Police and Lower Merion School District officials said the jersey was returned by a man in China who bought it in October 2018.

The memorabilia was stolen in early February 2017 by two men who broke into the high school.

Taken was Bryant's framed high school jersey, the 1996 PIAA Boys Basketball State Championship trophy and net, and several pairs of Nike sneakers signed by Bryant.

According to ESPN, Liu Zhe, 28, of Harbin, China, got his hands on the old jersey in October 2018 after buying it for roughly $2,000.

However, Zhe, being a Bryant fanatic, noticed the jersey resembled the same jersey that was stolen from outside the Bryan Gymnasium at the school.

Zhe connected with Lower Merion School District officials through Instagram and subsequently sent the jersey back to the school, ESPN reports.

"The Lower Merion School District is appreciative that the fan in China did the right thing and returned the Kobe Bryant jersey to Lower Merion High School," the district said. "We remain hopeful that the other stolen items will be returned as well and appreciate the continued work of the Lower Merion Township police to recover the items."

Police in Lower Merion yet to identify the theft suspects and are still investigating the incident, as the rest of the memorabilia remains missing.

One suspect was wearing a dark winter hat, black or blue jacket with a scarf, dark pants, and dark shoes with white trim. The suspect was also wearing blue latex gloves and concealed their face with a multi-colored scarf.

The other suspect was wearing gray sweatpants with "Jordan" on the left leg, a dark hooded jacket or sweatshirt, a Brooklyn Nets hat with a pompom on top and gray New Balance sneakers. The suspect was also wearing gloves and concealed their face.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspects or information on the crime is asked to contact Lower Merion Police at (610) 645-1000.