Thousands worth of stolen coins, silver bars found during traffic stop, Florida cops say

What started as a traffic violation grew steadily worse for a Florida motorist when deputies discovered the “10-time-convicted felon” was driving with bags full of “collectible silver coins and silver bars,” investigators say.

The discovery was made Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Dover and resulted in $50,000 in stolen coins, silver bars and guns being recovered, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a Nov. 14 news release. Dover is about a 20-mile drive northeast from Tampa.

It’s suspected the items were taken during at least two burglaries, one of which was Nov. 8 at a home in Dover, officials said.

“Three firearms were reported stolen from the residence. During the investigation, detectives identified ... a possible suspect,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Our Targeted Crime Unit located (the suspect) driving in Dover and was able to apprehend him after they observed a traffic violation.”

It was during the search of his vehicle that “heavy bags” loaded with silver coins and silver bars were found, the sheriff’s office said.

“Detectives continued their investigation and learned the coins and silver bars were taken from an unreported burglary within Hillsborough County. Detectives were able to contact the elderly victim and learned they were out of town during the burglary,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Detectives also searched (the suspect’s) residence, where they found two of the three stolen firearms, along with additional coins and silver bars.”

The 34-year-old suspect “is a 10-time convicted felon” who was released from prison in August, the sheriff’s office said.

He is charged with:

• Armed burglary of a dwelling
• Burglary of an unoccupied conveyance
• Felon in possession of a firearm
• Three counts of grand theft of a firearm
• Grand theft
• Grand theft second degree
• Dealing in stolen property
• Possession of controlled substance
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 8:31 AM with the headline "Thousands worth of stolen coins, silver bars found during traffic stop, Florida cops say."