Burglars Steal Rare Coins Then Make Very Dumb Move

A group of burglars stole a coin collection worth thousands and proceeded to pour it into a coin-counting machine, resulting in a $450 payoff. Authorities say one of the thieves—who also stole jewelry and tools—was the Oregon victim's son. "The crooks were idiots, just simply an idiot," said Dan Johnson, Sr., the owner of the coins. "To not know the value of what they had taken, just to get pocket change for it. Makes me feel good he was a stupid person and didn't realize what he had." (And yep, that "stupid person" is Dan Johnson, Jr.)

The Coinstar machine wouldn't take some 500 silver quarters the burglars had stolen; they carted those off to the bank, KPTV reports. The institution is returning those coins, but the rest of the collection is proving more elusive. Johnson yesterday pored over the coins from the machine in an attempt to find those from his collection, which contained coins from the early 20th century. "I lost an inheritance that was meant to go forward for my children and grandchildren," he said. Apparently one of those children couldn't wait. (More coins stories.)