Gen Con heist plea: Man to pay Wizards of the Coast $27,141 and write an apology letter
One of the two New York men who were charged for their alleged role in a Gen Con heist at the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium in 2023 was sentenced.
Thomas Dunbar, 40, and Andrew Giaume, 41, were both charged with felony theft after Indianapolis Metropolitan Police traced $300,000 in stolen gaming cards to them on Aug. 2, 2023, ahead of Gen Con opening. According to police, Dunbar and Giaume used a pallet jack to remove the cards while vendors were setting up.
Grainy images released by police during the search for the men showed a pallet with packaging resembling those of 'Magic: The Gathering,' the Pokemon Trading Card Game and the Disney Lorcana trading card game, all with hyped releases in 2023, and all among exhibitors at Gen Con.
Dunbar took a plea to dismiss the felony charge and was sentenced to a lower-level theft charge. His two-year jail time was suspended to probation, and he must pay restitution.
'Gen Con is pleased to see this offender brought to justice and applauds (convention center) security, IMPD, and the Marion County Prosecutor for their diligent work in concluding this case," David Hoppe, President of Gen Con, said in a statement to IndyStar.
Gen Con heist: Charges filed against New York men in theft of gaming cards
Dunbar was ordered to pay restitution to Alan Hochman, the president of Pastimes Games, and $27,141 to Wizards of the Coast. Recovered items also must be returned to the Wizards of the Coast. Dunbar also has to complete 40 hours of community service in Marion County and the state of New York.
He was sentenced to write an apology letter to the Gen Con Community.
After completing a year of probation, he will receive an alternative misdemeanor sentencing.
He agreed to stay away from the Indiana Convention Center for two years, and the state didn't object to probation being transferred to New York, where he lives.
Giaume has a trial set for July 2025.
Related: Indy police trace $300K in stolen gaming cards from Gen Con to New York City
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
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