Thefts of Collectibles Are On the Rise

Collectibles have become a big business. Movie props, toy cars and even trading cards have skyrocketed in value in recent years. Some even seem to gain value when they’ve been stolen and recovered. In 2024, the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz sold for $32 million after being recovered by the FBI following a museum heist. Earlier this year, Nicolas Cage’s copy of Action Comics #1, featuring the first appearance of Superman, sold for $15 million. It was found in a storage unit years after being taken during a party at the actor s home. Thieves made off with more than $50,000 in Hot Wheels toys in Colton late Wednesday night only to be caught a few hours later.  The San Bernardino Sun reports that 350 boxes of collectible cars were recovered from the back of a Chevy Silverado, driven by a 20-year-old, who was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property and grand theft. The toys were taken from a BNSF freight car- the latest in a string of train robberies in the