LSU Tigers championship rings taken in break-in

The Advocate reported the theft happened in December from the home of Kevin Wagner. Deputies announced the incident this past week.

Included is the 2007 ring from LSU's football national championship, which Wagner said is the most valuable to sports memorabilia dealers.

Wagner said he was shocked to return home and find the rings gone, and says he has little hope of recovering them. He said jewelry belonging to his wife also was taken.

“I got a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach,” said Wagner. “I just stood there looking. I couldn't believe they were gone.”

He said he notified authorities shortly after discovering the burglary.

Perry Rushing, chief of operations at the Sheriff's Office, said that at Wagner's request, investigators didn't publicly report the theft earlier in hopes the thief might be caught trying to pawn or sell the rings to dealers who had been notified of the theft.

The rings commemorate national titles, bowl games, men's basketball championships, women's basketball Final Four tournaments and baseball championships, the sheriff's office reported.

The collection is valued at more than $50,000, Rushing said.

“The rings represent 23 years of LSU athletics,” Wagner said.

He said national dealers in such rings exist, but he doubts the thief has any idea what to do with them, especially since Wagner's name is engraved on them.

Sheriff's deputies said anyone with information about the rings should call detectives at 800-443-7681.

“Realistically, I don't believe we'll ever see them again,” Wagner said.

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Information from: The Advocate, http://theadvocate.com

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AP-WF-02-18-12 1833GMT