Two men have been arrested in connection with a significant burglary involving a former Major League Baseball (MLB) player’s storage unit in Phoenix, Arizona. The suspects, Daniel Jacob Thompson, aged 48, and Michael Charles Hummel, aged 30, are alleged to have stolen items valued at over £90,000 from the unit, which belonged to ex-MLB player Daniel Johnson and his fiancée, Alison Wysong.
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The alleged theft occurred on September 27 at a storage facility located near the intersection of 24th Street and Campbell Avenue. Johnson and Wysong reported they were utilising the storage service while their home underwent renovations. The stolen items predominantly included various pieces of clothing, electronics, and accessories, detailing a personal loss for the couple.
Among the stolen goods were shirts, hoodies, jackets, shorts, and other sports apparel, alongside laptops and purses. Phoenix Police Sergeant Sheree Lee explained the circumstances surrounding the case during an interview with local news station ABC 15. Johnson lamented the loss of his memorabilia, which he had amassed throughout his professional career playing for teams including the Cleveland Guardians, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, and Houston Astros.
In a recent statement, Johnson reflected on the emotional toll the theft had taken, saying, “A lot of the other things were replaceable. But when it comes to the baseball apparel and memorabilia that I had for over ten years… it really was a gut buster.” He emphasised the unique nature of such memorabilia, which cannot easily be replaced as they represent a significant part of his sporting history.
The arrests of Thompson and Hummel occurred shortly after surveillance footage of the crime was aired by Phoenix police, drawing attention to the case. Law enforcement confirmed they apprehended the suspects on October 9, just a day after the footage was released. The police initially circulated a notice featuring images of the suspects, which led to crucial tips from the public.
According to reports, a sharp-eyed employee at a local pawn shop recognised the suspects from the police notice. This tip-off prompted officers to secure a search warrant for the suspects’ residence. During the search, police discovered items including shoes and MLB gear identifiable by Johnson’s name and number. It was also revealed that the suspects had reportedly broken into several other units within the storage facility, indicating a broader pattern of criminal activity rather than a targeted attack.
Sgt. Lee noted that the burglars did not specifically aim for Johnson’s unit but rather methodically forced their way into various spaces in the facility, damaging locks and compromising the safety of several units. “It wasn’t targeted in any way,” you said, stressing the indiscriminate nature of the break-in.
In light of the incident, both Johnson and Wysong expressed their relief at the arrests and gratitude towards the Phoenix police for their swift action. Wysong mentioned, “It does sound like people really have been impacted, not just us. We’re hoping that our story is the one that really nails the guys and that everybody else can really get their belongings back as well.”
Authorities in Phoenix are now urging any additional victims of theft from the storage facility to come forward and report their losses. Detectives are seeking further information and can be contacted at 602-262-6151.
As the investigation continues, this case serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals when securing their personal belongings, particularly when stored off-site during times of home improvement or transition. The emotional and financial toll of thefts like these can resonate deeply, especially when personal, irreplaceable items are at stake.