Posted on 11/09/2005 8:37:17 PM PST by NormsRevenge
LAS VEGAS - A retired Elvis impersonator helped Las Vegas police nab a man suspected of stealing more than $300,000 worth of memorabilia from the Elvis-A-Rama museum, authorities said Wednesday.
Duke Adams, a 62-year-old "older-era Elvis," said he was approached while in line at a pharmacy by a man offering to sell him items once owned by Elvis Presley, including jewelry, clothing and the king's revolver. Remembering the March 2004 burglary, Adams said he asked the man to stop by his business the next day.
Adams went home and called police.
Authorities arrested Eliab Aguilar on Nov. 3. after the Las Vegas man brought all but one of the stolen items to Adams' employment agency, police said.
"He'd laid it all out on the table. It couldn't have been handed to me more clearly," said Detective Kelli Hickle, who's been on the case since thieves backed a stolen tow truck into the museum, used the vehicle's hook to lift an overhead door and heisted the loot in a matter of minutes.
Aguilar was charged with burglary, grand larceny auto, possession of stolen property and possession of a stolen firearm, Hickle said. Hickle did not release information on any other suspects.
Police say they've recovered all but the least expensive of the stolen items — a $750 custom scarf. A 41-carat ruby and diamond ring worth $77,000, a $65,000 gold and black onyx medallion that spells "Elvis" in diamonds, and a gold-plated Smith & Wesson .38 special were among the items recovered.
"It is unbelievable, but absolutely amazing," said Chris Davidson, the former-owner of the Elvis-A-Rama museum and its collection. Davidson said the items would be returned to the collection, which he sold, along with the museum, in September to New York-based CKX Inc. CKX, the owners of the Elvis Presley estate, plan to close the Las Vegas museum next year.
Davidson said he was surprised to hear someone had tried to sell the stolen items in Las Vegas, where the heist, like all-things-Elvis, received much attention.
"I'm thrilled that he ran into an impersonator. I mean, what was he thinking? That this guy was going to wear all this on stage and no one would notice?" he said.
As Elvis, Adams said he was never much a headliner in Las Vegas, instead playing small clubs throughout California and Nevada.
Adams' most prized Elvis item is a red leather jacket that his late wife bought for him at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn.
"I think Elvis and my wife planned this. Yes, I do," Adams said. "Out of all the millions of people in the world, that (Aguilar) came to me at this time.
"Elvis and my wife did that."
Duke Adams, a 62-year-old retired Elvis impersonator, is reflected in the mirror as he poses for a photo in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005. Adams helped Las Vegas police arrest a man suspected of stealing more than $300,000 worth of memorabilia from the Elvis-A-Rama museum, authorities said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Wulll, Thank Youuuu, Thank You Very Much... uh huH HUH
oooo OOOOO BAAAbyyyy!!
Duke Adams, a 62-year-old retired Elvis impersonator, poses for a photo in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005. Adams helped Las Vegas police arrest a man suspected of stealing more than $300,000 worth of memorabilia from the Elvis-A-Rama museum, authorities said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Who is most likely to turn you in if you offer to sell them stolen Elvis memorabilia? Elvis impersonators.
Once again thieves plan the perfect crime but can't move the stolen goods without getting caught.
You got to love a city where you can actually make a living as an Elvis impersonator - as can a dozen of your friends who are also impersonators. Besides, stealing from 'The King' could have been a death penalty offense had it occurred in Tennessee.
"Hey... thank yew. Thank yew very much...."
Yeah, but it's also the Elvis impersonators who are the people as fanatics who know "the gear" the most..... more than a typical "hobbyist" would. This guy's right. The Aguilar perp was a dummy.
I'll bet Aguilar was "All Shook Up"
Good man for doing the right thing. I'd like to think I'd do the same thing, but sure would be tempting to have something owned by Elvis...
but sure would= but it sure would
I agree, a gold plated .38 would have really impressed the gals at the shooting range.
(OK, you set me up well. :-)
Also, there's this tidbit.
{snip}
Adams said that he was glad to do his part and that the episode had left him a changed man. After his wife of 21 years, Elaine, died in June, Adams struggled through life, he said. But since the encounter at the pharmacy, he said, he's been overcome with a sense of calm and peace he hasn't felt since before his wife's death.
"I just believe my wife, God and Elvis have got their hands in this," Adams said. "They set me up to do the right thing."
Well, at least he's figured out that Elvis is in Heaven, not hiding out somewhere in, say, Area 51! :-)
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