Stolen helmet returned to owner

UNION COUNTY, N.C. -- Detectives in five counties have been tracking a burglar who has been breaking into homes across North Carolina and South Carolina for two years.

Investigators say most of what the burglar stole was very typical -- jewelry, guns, cameras.

But one victim reported a stolen Green Bay Packers football helmet. NewsChannel 36 was there when the helmet was returned.

Union County homeowner Tamara Mason opens her door by saying, "Wow. Thank you. I never would've thought I would've got this back."

She is thanking Union County Sheriff's Detective Jeremy Schoen for returning her Green Bay football helmet. It's not just any helmet. This one is autographed by Brett Favre.

Jason Thompson

"And now that he's traded teams," says Schoen as he hands it through the door.

He explains how even a thief recognized it's value after breaking into Mason's house two months ago.

"I came home and noticed my back door was broken into," says Mason. "This helmet was right here on my bar."

Investigators say 27-year-old Jason Thompson is behind a string of home break-ins.

Detective Schoen says, "When we talked to him he said he'd been doing it off and on for about two years."

Schoen says detectives suspect Thompson in at least 28 and possibly 40 burglaries in both Carolinas.

Schoen says, "Possibly Mecklenburg, possibly York and we know Lancaster, possibly Chesterfield County and Kershaw County." 

Schoen believes Thompson had help and they say their means of operation was simple.

Autographed Brett Favre helmet

"Pretty much pull up in a driveway, houses that kind of sit by themselves, not in subdivisions," says Schoen. "Knock on the door during the day. No answer. Go around back. If there's no dogs, kick the door in."

Schoen says Thompson was stealing much more than helmets. Showing us into their evidence room he points out, "Guns here, sports memorabilia, TV's, cameras, jewelry."

Schoen will return all of the stolen goods if he can find the rightful owners.

"I never thought in a million years this helmet would turn up," says Mason.

But this time she says, it's not going in the same spot.

"I'm not going to display it where everyone can see it," she said.

And given No. 4's recent helmet change, it makes this one even more of a prized possession. Mason says, "They said it was a very slight chance that I'd ever get it back."