Scottsdale Police investigating baseball memorabilia burglary at restaurant

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (FOX 10) -- Scottsdale Police officials say they are investigating a burglary at the Don and Charlie's Restaurant early Wednesday morning that resulted in the loss of up to $600,000 worth of baseball memorabilia.

According to a statement released by Sgt. Ben Hoster Wednesday afternoon, police officers were dispatched to a burglary alarm call at around 2:00 a.m., at the Don & Charlie's Restaurant on the 7500 block of E. Camelback. When officers arrived, they found the front glass door smashed, and 34 Hall of Fame autographed baseballs stolen from a trophy case.

Police officials say the baseballs are estimated to worth anywhere from $200,000 to $600,000 and were signed by a number of baseball stars, including Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, and Ted Williams, among others.

"It's awful. It's just a heartbreaker 'cause they're one-of-a-kind," said Sara Van Hoose, a baseball fan who traveled from Virginia to enjoy Scottsdale. "This owner loved baseball. He loved to collect it, and everybody came here to see it."

Police officials say there are no suspect information or other details available for release. As for the restaurant, it is set to close on April 10.

The Scottsdale Police Department and Silent Witness are offering a reward of up to $11,000 for information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the suspect(s) in this crime.

Anyone with information should leave an anonymous tip by calling Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Spanish speakers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO.

Si tiene alguna información sobre este caso, llame a la línea de Testigo Silencioso (480-TESTIGO, 480-837-8446).

Silent Witness
http://www.silentwitness.org/