$30,000 Theft At Michigan Stamp Show

I'm not sure how rampant stamp thefts are at local shows, but here's one recent example of how a guy got caught. What I don't understand is how someone could steal stamps valued at $30,000 and the crime be considered only a misdemeanor and he be released until his court date. At what point does theft of this magnitude warrant jail time?

http://www.hometownlife.com/article...24/205030603

For someone to be that bold (although I bet not many dealers expect to be robbed at a show) and to cherry pick what he did you would figure this is not the first time this guy has done this. Certainly easier to walk away with 30k of the right stamps then 30k of just about anything else. Still would think full felony charges would be laid -

I wonder if he has an ebay store...

Hi

The height of boldness in stealing stamps occurred years ago to a New York dealer that I frequented. On his table he had a large piece of thick plastic under which were expensive stamps. He caught a "buyer" slitting the tape st the edge of the plastic and slipping something thin under the plastic to lift it slightly and removing the stamps near the edge. When the police got there they found that he had done this to other dealers.

Jerry B