Dear fellow Star Wars fans and collectors,

I need to share some distressing news with you because I need your help.

In February we at Rancho Obi-Wan found out that we had been the victim of a major theft that surreptitiously took place over many months in late 2015 through 2016.

There were more than 100 valuable items stolen, the majority of them vintage U.S. and foreign carded action figures, many of them rare and important pieces. Most have either been resold or professionally appraised for a total of more than $200,000.

The theft came to light after Philip Wise, a good friend, major collector and owner of several Star Wars websites, posted news of the theft of his rare prototype rocket-firing Boba Fett action figure from his Texas warehouse. Zach Tann, a respected toy dealer and collector in Southern California, immediately notified Philip that he had purchased that figure from Carl Edward Cunningham, 45, a well-known Star Wars collector and R2-D2 builder from Marietta, Georgia.

Tann further told Philip that he previously had bought many other rare Star Wars collectibles from Carl and sent a detailed list. Philip said that he quickly concluded by the quantity and quality of items that they had likely been stolen from my collection here in Petaluma, California.

Tann is working closely with us and authorities to help recover and return as many of the stolen collectibles as possible. Without Zach Tann’s call to Philip, which came despite great potential personal financial exposure to himself, we might still not know of the theft or its extent.

Carl surrendered on an arrest warrant from the Sonoma County, California Sheriff’s Department at the end of March and was charged with felony grand theft. He is currently free on bail with additional hearings in the case scheduled.

I have known Carl for many years, considered him a good and trusted friend, and played host to him at my home numerous times. I, and the staff at Rancho Obi-Wan, are devastated that he is the alleged perpetrator of the thefts. Not only have important items been stolen from the collection, but also our time, energy and ability to trust unconditionally have taken a blow.

If you have any information about Carl Cunningham’s activities or items that he has sold please write to tips@ranchoobiwan.org. If you think you may have purchased a stolen item, please be patient while we work through this process. It is our goal to resolve this situation as quickly as possible and to continue to use the collection at Rancho Obi-Wan to “Inspire through the Force” despite the destruction caused by one person.

Thank you for your help,

Steve Sansweet

Rancho Obi-Wan

This is a LIST OF ITEMS that hasn’t been accounted for. If you bought any of these, especially on eBay (user name: winterceltic) or through the Rebelscum.com forum in the last year from Carl Cunningham, please let us know at tips@ranchoobiwan.org

Harbert 12-Back C-3PO

Kenner 12-Back Han Solo (Large Head)

Kenner 20-back Jawa

Kenner 20-Back Death Squad Commander

Kenner 21-back Hammerhead

Kenner 21-Back Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilot

Kenner 21-back R5-D4 SW card

Kenner 31-back R2-D2

Kenner 41-Back Stormtrooper

Kenner 41-Back-A Darth Vader

Kenner 47-back Luke Skywalker (Bespin) Brown hair

Kenner POTF Han Trench AFA 75+Y #11842094

Kenner POTF Ben Kenobi AFA 85Y #11190100

Kenner POTF Darth Vader AFA 85Y #11667777

Kenner POTF Chewbacca

Kenner Diecast Cloud Car Pilot

Kenner Diecast X-Wing

Kenner Canada Ewoks King Gorneesh AFA 75+ #17591428

Kenner Canada Ewoks Canadian Lady Urgah

Meccano 20-Back Jawa AFA 70Y #11973891

Palitoy 12-Back-B Death Squad Commander

Palitoy 12-Back Jawa (cloth cape)

Palitoy 12-Back-A Sand People

Palitoy 12-Back-B R2-D2 AFA 75 #14754625

Palitoy 12-Back-A C-3PO AFA 85 #11805509

Palitoy 12-Back-B Princess Leia AFA 80 #11810768

Palitoy 12-Back-B Stormtrooper AFA 85 #11860712

Palitoy 12-Back-A Han Solo AFA 85 #12889727

Palitoy 12-Back-B Darth Vader AFA 85 #11696213

Palitoy 20-Back Death Star Droid AFA 85 #19616463

Palitoy 20-Back Hammerhead AFA 85 #12519045

Palitoy 30-Back-A Hoth Trooper AFA 85 #11584683

Palitoy 65-back R2-D2 with Sensorscope

Palitoy Tri-Logo Imperial Dignitary AFA 75+ #19588540

Palitoy Tri-Logo Amanaman

Palitoy Tri-Logo Hammerhead

Palitoy Tri-Logo Luke Skywaker (brown hair)

Palitoy Tri-Logo Princess Leia Organa

Palitoy Tri-Logo Yak Face

Palitoy Diecast Tie Fighter

Takara Sticker 12-Back-B Ben Kenobi

Toltoys Death Star Spherical Cardboard Playset with Palitoy innards

LEGO Millenium Falcon #10179

LEGO Super Star Destroyer #10221

LEGO Rebel Snowspeeder #10129

LEGO Imperial Shuttle #10212

Goodbye party Gooney watch

Goodbye party Gooney yellow mug

Goodbye party Gooney hat

Multi-color K tie tac

Terminator Gooney mug

Raiders slide

Gooney hats x 4

Star Wars blue Fall flyer