Editor’s Note: While national news continues to either ignore skyrocketing retail theft or somehow blame it on climate change, there’s a component of the rise that’s being missed by most, even those in conservative media. The border crisis has been a huge reason for this spike which can be easily seen statistically.
Here’s the latest example of the border crisis hitting stores across America from Discern Reporter generated from corporate media reports:
(Discern Reporter)—Two additional Venezuelan migrants residing in Chicago were arrested on Friday for allegedly stealing merchandise worth hundreds of dollars from a suburban Macy’s, a store that has been a consistent target of retail theft by migrants during this holiday season, authorities reported.
Edys Alberto Herrera-Gotopo, 20, and Johan Gavidia-Rojas, 18, entered the Oak Brook, Illinois store together shortly after 7 p.m., each carrying empty bags, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors revealed that the two men collaborated, with one grabbing clothing items and stuffing them into a bag while the other served as a lookout. The roles were then switched before the duo left the store without paying, leading Oak Brook police to intercept them.
Herrera-Gotopo was taken into custody without incident, but Gavidia-Rojas led officers on a brief foot chase before being apprehended. The men were found in possession of $665 worth of stolen goods.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin emphasized, “The quick apprehension of the defendants in this case sends the message that law enforcement in DuPage County is ready for any would-be shoplifters and if you steal from any of our retail establishments, you will be arrested, charged, and prosecuted.”
Both men, originally from Venezuela and currently residing in Chicago, were charged with one count of retail theft, a felony. They were released after a judge denied the state’s motion to detain them pre-trial, with the condition that they are prohibited from entering the Macy’s in Oak Brook.
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The Oak Brook Macy’s has been repeatedly targeted for retail theft, prompting authorities to advise locals and retailers to remain vigilant during the bustling holiday shopping season.
Last month, Oak Brook Deputy Chief of Police Reid Foltyniewicz warned of an increase in criminal activity involving Venezuelan migrants from Chicago after a series of retail thefts.
In recent weeks, at least nine Venezuelan migrants have been arrested for separate retail theft incidents at the Oak Brook Macy’s and a Kohl’s store in nearby Elmhurst.
With over 20,000 migrants pouring into Chicago since August 2022, the city continues to grapple with finding ways to accommodate them during the winter, as concerns over potential costs and risks to neighborhood safety are voiced by local residents.
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Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.