In the early morning hours of September 20, 2015, an unknown person dropped off a Major League Baseball National Championship ring at the front counter of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station. The mysterious Good Samaritan left the ring before deputies were able to contact him at the counter. Upon receiving the ring, deputies immediately began an investigation to determine who the rightful owner of the ring was. They conducted a search on the internet and determined Christopher Gomez was possibly the owner of the ring.
As the story began to unfold, deputies learned Christopher Gomez is a former Lakewood resident. He grew up playing baseball at Lakewood High School, and was drafted to the major leagues in 1992 by the Detroit Tigers. In 1998, he played in the World Series for the San Diego Padres, who were the National League Champions. The ring was given to Christopher Gomez to commemorate the event.
Detective Theo Gekas was assigned to the case and was able locate Christopher Gomez. Christopher realized his ring was missing a couple of weeks ago, but the circumstances of the ring’s disappearance were unknown to him. He also indicated he had two additional rings missing. They were a 1987 Lakewood High School baseball championship ring, and a 1990 Loyola Marymount College championship ring.
This morning, Christopher Gomez positively identified the ring and it was returned to him. He was extremely happy the ring was returned and in safe hands. He is hopeful his other two rings will be returned to him, for their sentimental value. If you have any information regarding these rings, please contact Detective Gekas at Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, (562) 623-3657. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637,) or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Lakewood Sheriff’s Station provides law enforcement services to the cities of Paramount, Lakewood, Bellflower, Hawaiian Gardens, Artesia, and unincorporated communities in Long Beach and Cerritos.
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Captain Keith E. Swensson
Lakewood Sheriff’s Station
www.lakewood.lasd.org
