A huge gold nugget was reported stolen from the Long Beach Convention Center on Thursday, prompting a $10,000 reward offer.
Bob Campbell, owner of a coin store in Salt Lake City, said he took the gold nugget to the Long Beach Expo, an expo that brings together dealers of coins and other collectibles, to sell it for more than $80,000. He said its value exceeds its gold content, like an “original 49er nugget” believed to date back to the gold rush.
“They will lose money if they melt it down. “It has collector value,” Campbell said. The nugget, about 27 ounces, was about the size of a goose egg, she added, and specimens of that size are “extremely rare.”
Video captured by another coin dealer at the event shows someone appearing to press the display case and then pocket something. Campbell blamed a defect in the case that allowed the thief to move his hand inside.
Long Beach police said they are investigating the robbery, which was reported before noon Thursday. Campbell also hands out flyers with a photo of the gold nugget and the alleged thief and personally offers a $10,000 reward based on the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.
“We're hoping this information comes to light” and maybe “one of his friends will turn him in,” Campbell said.
He urged anyone with information to call his Utah store at (801) 467-8636 or contact the Long Beach Police Department regarding case number 24-28245.
