Owner Offers Reward for Missing Rare Bills in Homestead: “That Was My Inheritance!”

Ted Capell alleges that his recent interaction with a national service company ended in theft rather than the installation he sought. The Homestead resident claims that during the visit of five technicians to his home, rare U.S. bills vanished, leaving him bereft of a significant part of his family’s legacy.

Capell asserts that the stolen items include three $1,000 bills collected by his mother in the 1950s. “That was my inheritance,” he shared, noting his plans to regrade the bills to enhance their marketability. He estimates their total worth to be around $10,500.

“These are the only people that had access to the room,” he stated. Capell detailed the chronology: five technicians visited at different times, and the bills disappeared after they left.

The incident reportedly took place in March or April of last year, but Capell’s attempts to resolve the issue with the company have been futile. Frustrated, he took to social media, sharing images of the missing bills along with their unique serial numbers.

Engaging his family in the search, he revealed that his tech-savvy grandchildren are monitoring online marketplaces like eBay for any sign of the bills. “Whoever’s got it’s probably got it stuffed in a drawer somewhere,” he speculated, fearing they might attempt to sell them after his passing.

As no formal charges have been filed against the company or the technicians involved, the organization remains unnamed. “They could not have cared less,” Capell recounted his experience of contacting their headquarters.

Both the Maricopa Police Department and a legal consultant have informed him that proving theft without direct evidence poses a significant challenge. His homeowner’s insurance yielded little assistance, offering only $300 for the collector’s currency, a fraction of its true value.

If given the opportunity to address the thief, Capell’s message would be clear: “If they would return it, all would be forgiven. I would not pursue it any further.” He has even offered a $1,000 reward for the safe return of the bills.

For now, Capell remains vigilant as he monitors the bill market, hoping to reclaim what he views as irreplaceable family history.