My cue collection has been stolen high reward

TATE said:
Huckster,

You are not alone.

If you e-mail me photos and descriptions at Palmercollector@aol.com - I will post the photos and e-mail my contacts, which incude collectors, cuemakers, and dealers throughout the country.

Also, any details you can give, city of break-in, date, etc. will be helpful.

All details to ID the cues will help. Does the Palmer have a name label?

Me and others here on AZ will help you get these guys. I am supremely confident that we can string a very large net so it will be nearly impossible for the cues to be advertised without getting spotted.

Chris
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In addition, pin numbers for the Southwest cues would help.....
 
Some very helpful information on this thread. If Huckster follows all these suggestions he should be reunited with his stuff.

Somewhere close by someone is holding a hoard of stolen goods. Unless they are professional thieves they are feeling the heat right now. It will be VERY hard to unload this stuff.

Other people know about this stash and will be talking! Keep your ear to the ground, offer large rewards and pester the cops and local media.

Good luck Huck!
 
This SUCKS

I feel for you and wish you luck. You can bet that somewhere down the road these cues will find there way to eBay, and when they do, WE WILL BE THERE. If you have any pics to post that will help all of us AZer's to know what we are looking for. Thanks and GOOD LUCK.
 
In this case, I would go door to door in your neighborhood and talk to the owners of the houses just to see if they saw anything suspicious (maybe a strange car) or if they saw their kids with any cues.... I would give them a flyer with a vague list of stolen goods and a phone number... Just keep it light and nice and start off with "I really need your help...." They will respond to that.

A little footwork will go a long ways.... I would also leave no stone unturned at the pool hall.... Look for anyone you know that is leaving town.
 
Hopefully the theives did not trade everything to a drug dealer for $100 worth of crack
 
BillYards said:
In this case, I would go door to door in your neighborhood and talk to the owners of the houses just to see if they saw anything suspicious (maybe a strange car) or if they saw their kids with any cues.... I would give them a flyer with a vague list of stolen goods and a phone number... Just keep it light and nice and start off with "I really need your help...." They will respond to that.

A little footwork will go a long ways.... I would also leave no stone unturned at the pool hall.... Look for anyone you know that is leaving town.
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This is an excellent start.

Barbara
 
huckster said:
I am furious and sad to report that my collection has been stolen while I was out of town I am offering a large reward for the return of my collection, or information leading to person/s responsible. The following cues have been stolen.

1. 1965 Palmer model 5 cue made from a Burton Spain blank. (This cue belonged to my grandfather Don Willis at the end of his hustling days it is only one of three cues i have of his and the only two piece cue)

2. Two Motteys from his pre-scrimshaw days six total shafts.

3. A Gus Szamboti, and two Barry Szamboti's second owner on all three cues.

4. A rare Balabuska sneaky pete with 3 original shafts

5. Two Gina cues from the first part of Ernies career before he retired.

6. A Tad that is in need of refinshing

7. Two High end McDanials

8. A Bluegrass with 5 shafts

9. Two Black Boar "catalog cues"

10 One unique and three LE Schons

11. Four SouthWests including one Jerry Franklin era

12. Two JossWests from last year

13. One Kershanbrock that seen lots of play.

14. The following guns: Thunder five revolver, .454 Casull, AK-47 from Vietnam, Franchi-spas "street sweeper" 12 gauge, Vintage Colt peacemaker, .40 S&W, Tec-9 with extended clip, Collectable over and under 10 gauge, two .357 Rugers.

15. Two vintage Rolex watches, a Morvant watch, my mothers wedding ring, my grandfathers pocket watch (Don Willis), two womens tennis bracelets, a set of diamond earrings, home stereo, and six gold necklaces.

I am offering a reward please PM me.
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That really sucks. We had about 15 guns stolen and I know how you feel. It seems like its just not a random robbery. I can see stealing guns but unless you know anything about pool a thief would think a meucci is worth more than the szambotis. I hope you find your cues and your guns and I would not be suprised if its not someone that you know. The person who stole the 15 guns from myself was none other than my cousin.
 
i don't know if this was mentioned but give a list of the missing items to ALL the Pawn shops within 30 miles.
 
Go further out than that.

cuejoey said:
i don't know if this was mentioned but give a list of the missing items to ALL the Pawn shops within 30 miles.
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I hope you had photos of them. I know when we were robbed of a bunch of high end cues several years ago, the police didnt want anything to do with it without pictures and identifying marks. The police cant tell one cue from another. Its hard enough for pool fanatice to identify some cues. I would go even further out than the 30 miles as suggested. I would also contact all the local tournaments and tell the director of each tournament. When we were robbed in St. Louis the cues were found two days later at a tournament in Oklahoma City. Maybe also post on the other forums online too. Just some suggestions from a guy that has been there. SOrry to hear of your loss.

Also thought I would add...I saw a news program ( I THINK it was Dateline) about home security and the "expert" made some great suggestions about storing valuables in the home. He said anyone that had collections of valuables like guns, jewelry, (cues definitely rank up there) and such should always follow some basic rules. Always hide valuables in THREE different locations in the house. Always make sure that the master bedroom is NOT one of those locations. This will accomplish several things. It will weed out all the amateur crooks from getting your stuff. They always search the bedroom closet and drawers first. Then the Master Bedroom closet/ Bathroom. Most crooks want to be out in under 3 minutes. If you can afford to buy a dozen high end cues, a few gun lock boxes from Bass Pro Shop will easily fit in your budget. I just bought two more ( they were on sale for $89.00) This will also tell you if the crook is someone you know. If they go to the three areas of your house that has the different safes, its a friend or relative. ( I guess friend is not the appropriate word here) Unless you kept all your stolen merchandise in your master bedroom and unlocked...chances are high you knew the crook.

The expert had some great suggestions on safes. They have a jewelry safe you install in the floor. Then they just put a silk plant over it to hide it. My robbery happened several years ago and I am still bothered by it. I hope everyone that reads this thread will keep an eye out for your cues..and also think about where they keep THEIR cues and valuables at home. Also..if you havent photographed your cues and valuables lately...time to do it. Be prepared now and not sorry later.
 
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Last year my home was burglarized. They took everything of value EXCEPT my cues, which were in plain sightand worht PLENTY. I also had a pawn shop that was burglarized about 6 years ago and the cues were likewise ignored. My guess is that whoever robbed you knew about the cues beforehand and they knew what they are worth (and brother you had some beauties). I agree that it's locals, probably neighbors. I'd start there and don't let the cops sit on the case. Good luck!
 
My prayers are with you, Huckster, that you recover all
your stuff. I agree with Roscoe about it being somebody
you know. Any junkie in-laws?
 
This incident should be a wake up for everyone.evalute and inventory your collection with pictures.evaluate your security system or lack there of.if you do not have an alarm get one.if you have an alarm go to the next step security camers.determine if you need to buy a large safe to put your valuables in.check with your home/renters insurance about your coverage.i would love revenge on people like this that's all i will say..:mad:
 
I keep my cues in my gun safe. Works really great and your protected from fire also. Sad that these are the mesures you have to take in this day and age.
 
this is someone you know. i had the same thing happen to me a few years ago. i was in mexico and somebody broke into my garage and stole my toools and some wheels. tha funny thing is i had a rottweiler at the time and my dog didnt do anything. i heard later that it was a friend . nothin i could do. i own a pool hall in cal. i dont think they will make it this far , but ill watch anyways. good luck.
 
some pics would be nice if you have them...I live in Michigan so they very well could end up here and I'll keep an eye out for them....
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I bought a gun safe (real high quality) from a local agway farm supply store for 800 bucks.Weighs a ton and is highly fire proof and my cues are in it.Walmart has a lower end model during hunting season that would work for most. If your willing to spend thousands on a cue then it makes sense to invest this amount to protect your collection. Insurance is not that easy for these items and the amount they jack up your preimum will pay for the safe after a few years.Also,this robbery has inside job written all over it,somebody who knows about your collection had a hand in this IMO.
LOL
 
hey im around pool tourneys in nc sc and georgia alot send a list of southwest pin numbers and me a cell number and ill advertise like always that i buy southwest anytime at any reasonable price.we can find these cues
 
Everyone who replied in this thread. Thank you for the suggestions. I will be scanning the photos of my cues tomorrow. Everyone at AZ are good people that is why I post here.


Huck
 
Heads up to homeowners

My home was burglarized about five years ago by a professional ring of thieves operating in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.
They sent a small boy in thru the doggie door and he got into the garage, which was attached to the house. It was easy to jimmy the door from the garage into the house, and viola, they were in.

They stole all small items, i.e. a pistol, camera, laptop, and some expensive jewelry. I had a small floor safe at the time with money and valuables in it. It weighs about 75 pounds. Luckily for me they didn't have a car or it would have been gone.

We found out later (after these guys were caught) that they rode bikes and carried everything away in backpacks. Not kids either (two men), and the one boy who went thru doggie doors (that was their M.O.).

Now my cues, guns, cash and other valuables reside in a 650 lb. floor safe that is basically unmovable without a dolly and much manpower. It would take time and heavy equipment to open it.

This burglary happened in the daytime as do most burglaries. Just a word to the wise to those with pets. This can be a vulnerable area if you do not close it off every time you leave.
 
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