Police: Woman admits trading stolen memorabilia for pills - WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and Sports

UPDATE: Another arrest made in connection with stolen memorabilia

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UPDATE: ALDERSON (WVVA) - Police have made another arrest in connection with property stolen from former NBA star Bimbo Coles.

Police say Billy Joe Flora of Alderson has admitted to buying memorabilia he knew was stolen.

Flora paid $30 for a basketball card and autographed football allegedly taken from a shed belonging to Coles. Flora then allegedly sold the items for $100.

The estimated value of the card and ball is more than $1,000.

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ALDERSON (WVVA) - Police say a Greenbrier County woman has admitted to trading sports memorabilia stolen from a former NBA star for pain pills.

Police say Melinda Donahue of Caldwell told them her son and step-brother broke into a shed belonging to Vernell 'Bimbo' Coles and stole several items, including a Dallas Cowboys helmet, autographed photos and basketball shoes.

Donahue confessed to police she drove to Alderson and traded some of the items for pills.

The stolen memorabilia is valued at an estimated $2,500.

Coles -- a Greenbrier County native -- was a standout basketball player for Virginia Tech before playing from 1990-2004 in the NBA.

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