Do you recognize this man?
He is the thief behind at least one coin shop burglary in our area.
November 17 was like any other day at Dalton Stamp and Coin on Waugh Street. Shop owner, Juan Lama, says he thought nothing of it when a man walked in asking to see specific coins.
In surveillance video provided by the store, the man who Lama thought was a customer had a box with nearly eighty coins in front of him. Lama says that's when the man asked to see more coins in a different case.
Moments later, the man was ready to make his purchases.
Lama says, "He said 'Oh, I must have left my wallet in the car. I'm going to go get it, I'll be right back. I didn't think anything unusual by that. Within a few seconds, I noticed the box wasn't on the counter anymore."
The man fled with $40,000 worth of rare coins in tow.
"Violated," says Lama of his emotions toward the burglary. "That's the easiest way to describe it. We work hard for this and try to supply the best service for customers. Then one person comes in and puts a dark face to it all."
Dalton police are asking for the public to help identify the suspect in the video.
They describe him as a black male with a shaved head. He's approximately 6' tall and 200 pounds.
Lama says his business is his passion, and he hopes he will have answers soon.
"I hope we can find him and bring him to justice."
Fort Oglethorpe Police are also investigating a similar crime. The suspect description in that crime matches this theft.
If you have any information on the suspect, call the Dalton Police Department.
By: Kelsey Bagwell
