This suspect stole rare coins worth nearly $40,000 from a store by concealing them under his jacket, according to Dalton police.A Smyrna, Ga., man has been arrested on felony charges in connection with the theft of about $37,000 in rare coins from a store in Dalton, Ga.
Dalton police said London Harris, 37, was arrested in late December by DeKalb County, Ga., police, who contacted Dalton investigators.
The theft happened Nov. 17 at Dalton Stamp and Coin, at 110 W. Waugh St.
The owner told police a man came into the store and began asking about rare coins. The owner showed the man between 70 and 80 coins in a box. During the discussion, the man distracted the owner by asking to see something under the counter and concealed the box of coins under his jacket. The thief then told the store owner that he had to go back to his car to get his credit card to make his purchase.
In late November, Dalton police released surveillance images from that incident and a similar crime in Fort Oglethorpe. Investigators from other agencies recognized the suspect and contacted Dalton police Detective Jason Thompson to report that the same suspect had pulled similar thefts from collectors in their areas.
Dalton investigators say Harris is suspected of thefts in at least six jurisdictions in Georgia and also has a warrant for his arrest in Ohio, where he lived before moving to Georgia.
Harris was booked into the Whitfield County Jail on Jan. 13 on a charge of felony theft.