28. Pre-Columbian Gold Artifacts From A Thief
It’s not every day someone walks into a pawn shop and sells a three-by-four-inch gold sculpture, especially when they only ask for $100. This happened to shop employee March Epstein, who knew the item was particular. However, he had no idea that the person stole the piece from a National Geographic Society Museum the day before.
The artifact came from a pre-Columbian exhibit that dated around 1,400 CE. Eventually, Epstein heard about the theft and immediately called the police. Epstein helped the police catch the criminal by telling him to come in to negotiate a second item he had.