A shipment of Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads that were to be distributed at a Pittsburgh Penguins game Thursday night has been stolen, the team said.
The shipment was stolen after arriving in California, the team said ahead of its game in Pittsburgh against the San Jose Sharks.
Jaromir Jagr skates during warm ups after having his number retired and banner raised to the rafters before the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings at PPG PAINTS Arena on Feb. 18, 2024 in Pittsburgh.
Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images, FILE
“We were shocked to be a victim of cargo theft, and we are working closely with local and federal authorities on the investigation,” Kevin Acklin, the Penguins president of business operations, said in a statement. “While this unfortunate incident adds to the legend of Jaromir Jagr, who will be in attendance as our guest at tonight’s game, we look forward to resolving this theft and delivering the prized Jagr bobbleheads to their rightful homes, with our fans.”
All fans in attendance will receive a voucher to redeem the bobblehead at a later date once they are available.
Jagr, a Czech hockey right winger, began his NHL career when he was drafted by the Penguins in 1990. He was on the team until 2001, including when they won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992. He has more points in NHL history than anyone besides Wayne Gretzky.
The 52-year-old last played in the NHL in 2018, but still plays in his home country. He won a gold medal playing for the Czech Republic at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
In February, the Penguins retired his No. 68 in PPG Paints Arena. The city also honored him with a proclamation.
“I’m proud and happy to say Pittsburgh is my second home,” Jagr said at the time.
The Pittsburgh Penguins were left stunned and disappointed when they discovered that a shipment of Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads had been stolen before a recent game. The theft, which occurred just hours before the game, has left fans and team officials scratching their heads and wondering who could be behind such a brazen act.
Jaromir Jagr, a former Penguins player and hockey legend, is a beloved figure in Pittsburgh and his bobbleheads are highly sought after by fans. The Penguins had planned to give away the bobbleheads to fans attending the game as a special promotion, but those plans were dashed when the theft was discovered.
Team officials are working closely with local law enforcement to investigate the theft and hopefully recover the stolen bobbleheads. They are also asking for the public’s help in identifying any potential suspects or leads that could help solve the case.
The Penguins are no strangers to dealing with theft and security issues, as professional sports teams are often targeted by thieves looking to make a quick buck off of valuable merchandise. However, the theft of the Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads has hit particularly hard, as they were meant to be a special gift for loyal fans who support the team through thick and thin.
Despite this setback, the Penguins are determined to move forward and continue to provide their fans with memorable experiences at games. They have already begun working on plans for future promotions and giveaways to make up for the loss of the Jagr bobbleheads.
In the meantime, fans are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to the stolen bobbleheads. The Penguins are hopeful that with the help of the community, they will be able to recover the stolen merchandise and bring those responsible to justice.
As the investigation continues, the Penguins are focused on staying positive and looking ahead to the rest of the season. They remain committed to providing their fans with exciting games and memorable experiences, despite the unfortunate incident involving the theft of the Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads.
