Story Archive

They Even Stole Home Base!

During a burglary at Bill Strupp’s Clearwater, Fla., dental office, thieves stole $37,000 worth of dental equipment — plus Strupp’s prized autographed baseballs and bats that were gifts from his long-time friend and client, the late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. While police investigated, Strupp posted an ad on Craigslist offering a reward for the stolen items. He got a call from someone offering to sell most of the memorabilia back to him. Strupp worked with police to set up a sting operation, and a few days later, Robert Kinzinger, 42, and Dana M. Eson, 48, were arrested when they showed up with Strupp’s computer and some of the memorabilia. Police then executed a search warrant and found most of the rest of his belongings. “I’m just flabbergasted that anybody would be that stupid to try to sell something back to somebody after you stole it from them,” Strupp said. (MS/Tampa Bay Times) ...Foolproof plans often depend on having a well-established fool.