The Elvis Jacket Heist: A Grand Theft at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino

Key Takeaways:

• A 50-year-old man, Christopher Owen, was arrested for stealing an Elvis Presley-worn jacket valued at $11,670.
• The theft occurred on February 14, 2023, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
• The incident was captured on surveillance, leading to Owen's identification and subsequent arrest.

In a plot that seems straight out of a movie, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, became the scene of an audacious heist this past Valentine's Day. Christopher Owen, a 50-year-old man from Pompano Beach, Florida, was caught on camera stealing a jacket once worn by the king of rock 'n' roll, Elvis Presley. The theft, valued at a cool $11,670, has rock and crime enthusiasts buzzing.

A Brazen Valentine's Day Heist

On February 14, 2023, Owen, seemingly bitten by the love bug or perhaps inspired by Elvis's daring spirit, decided to make his move. According to surveillance footage, he ventured into a restricted area of the casino, where he laid his hands on the prized jacket displayed on a mannequin. The footage further shows Owen passing the jacket to a woman, and together, they left the premises, blending into the night.

The plot thickens with Owen's earlier activity at the casino. Before the theft, he used his driver's license to request a cash advance. It's unclear if his visit was purely for the heist or if he intended to try his luck at the blackjack tables, where the casino frequently runs a $5 promotion. Nonetheless, this critical mistake led to his identification and arrest.

More Than Just a Jacket

The stolen jacket isn't just any piece of clothing; it's a piece of music history. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, renowned for its extensive rock-and-roll memorabilia collection, counted the Elvis-worn jacket among its most valuable items. With an auction value of approximately $11,670, the jacket's theft wasn't just a loss of property; it was akin to stripping a piece of the casino's soul.

The Aftermath

After evading capture for over a year, Owen's luck finally ran out. He was arrested last weekend and charged with grand theft. As of now, it remains a mystery whether the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has been reunited with the iconic jacket. Local news outlets, including WLPG Local 10 in Miami, have yet to report on the jacket's fate.

This unusual case of grand theft goes to show that even in a place as bustling and vibrant as a casino, where fortunes are won and lost every day, the allure of rock 'n' roll memorabilia can inspire a heist worthy of the King himself. Whether driven by a desire for money, fame, or perhaps a peculiar show of affection on Valentine's Day, Owen's attempt to own a piece of Elvis's legacy has landed him in the spotlight, albeit for all the wrong reasons.