YORK COUNTY, Pa. — A Pennsylvania couple is being sought by police after they allegedly duped a victim out of his antiques collection and tens of thousands of dollars in profits.
The York County victim allegedly told police he contacted Thomas and Christina Taylor, who own Palmyra-based Collectors Auction Company LLC, to arrange an auction of antique collectibles. The victim says he believed this to be a reputable company.
The Taylors agreed to pick up truckloads of rare coins, antique guns and collectibles from the victim's house and take them to the auction house located at 7441 Allentown Boulevard in Harrisburg, police said.
The victim says his collection was worth between $100,000 and $200,000, according to a criminal complaint.
The first auction finished on July 28, 2023, with reported profits of $17,503. The business allegedly drafted a letter on Sept. 12, 2023 stating that the victim was owed $14,877.55. The letter and associated check were hand-delivered to the victim sometime in the beginning of October, according to police.
The letter allegedly instructed the victim to wait until the post date to cash the check, as some of the bidders from the auction had not yet paid. The victim told police he cashed the check on Dec. 6, 2023, after several conversations with Thomas. On Dec. 11, 2023, the Federal Reserve flagged the check as fraudulent.
According to a criminal complaint, the victim contacted Thomas about the error and Thomas refused to honor check, also telling the victim that he would not receive any money or his property back. Thomas then allegedly instructed the victim to speak to his attorney.
Police contacted Thomas on Dec. 14, 2023. He allegedly claimed that the victim had altered the check and he no longer wants to do business with him. Officers say he also claimed that this is a civil problem, not criminal, and he has a civil attorney. Additionally, Thomas allegedly said he had connections in the Secret Service who were investigating the matter. Police say he was unable to provide information to back up this declaration.
Over the course of the investigation, officers found that Thomas has a long history of deceptive business practices, according to a criminal complaint. He was arrested in 2022 for this same scheme. When investigators went to the business address, they allegedly found it abandoned.
The police determined that Thomas' check was fake, not forged or altered, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The victim sill has not received his property back nor any money.
The Taylors are charged with theft by unlawful taking - movable property/$100,000-$500,000, theft by deception - false impression, deceptive/fraudulent business practices - sell/deliver less quantity, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy engaging.