Police in Coquitlam, British Columbia, are on the hunt for the rightful owner of a significant collection of sports trading cards. The cards were discovered inside a vehicle that had been reported stolen.
Collection Found During Police Investigation
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment in Coquitlam came into possession of the cards during the course of an investigation. The collection was located inside a stolen vehicle that was later recovered by authorities. While details of the vehicle theft itself are limited, the discovery of the cards has created a separate mystery for investigators to solve.
In an effort to find the owner, the Coquitlam RCMP took the step of publicly releasing a photograph showing a portion of the collection. The image reveals numerous cards, potentially featuring athletes from various sports, carefully stored. The police have not provided an estimated monetary value for the collection, but specialized sports cards can be worth significant sums, ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the athlete, condition, and rarity.
Public's Help Requested to Identify Owner
The RCMP is now appealing to the public for assistance. They are asking anyone who may have information about the collection or who believes the cards might belong to them to come forward. The discovery was announced on December 2, 2025. Individuals with knowledge about the cards are urged to contact the Coquitlam RCMP directly.
This case highlights a common challenge for police services across Canada: reuniting found property, especially unique or high-value items, with their owners. Without serial numbers or distinct identifying marks, items like collectible cards can be difficult to trace.
What to Do If You Have Information
If you are the owner or know who might be, you should be prepared to provide specific details to police to prove ownership. This could include:
- Descriptions of specific cards or sets in the collection.
- Photographs of the collection from before it went missing.
- Details about where and when the cards were likely lost or stolen.
- Any police file numbers related to a previous theft report.
The Coquitlam RCMP's initiative demonstrates their effort to go beyond standard theft recovery and ensure valuable personal property is returned. The owner of these sports cards is likely unaware that their collection has been found, making this public appeal a crucial step in solving the case.
