What started as an act of generosity in Hollywood ended with felony arrests, a missing trove of gold and silver, and detectives hunting for a third suspect.
Hollywood police say a homeowner discovered that hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of coins had vanished from her residence, and that two members of a trio she had allowed to live there are now accused of stealing the collection. Authorities identified the suspects as 55-year-old Joseph Marsicek and 53-year-old Lisa Bulinski and say at least some of the missing coins were sold to a gold and jewelry buyer. Investigators believe the scope of the theft could be far larger than the amount recovered so far. Both Marsicek and Bulinski remain jailed on felony charges while detectives continue to search for a third suspect.
According to court documents obtained by Local 10, the trio moved out of the woman’s home on Feb. 15. Three days later, when the homeowner went to show a friend her coin collection, she realized it was gone. Investigators told the outlet the suspects had already sold about $72,000 worth of the coins to a buyer, a sum detectives say represents only a fraction of the hundreds of thousands of dollars in coins the victim reported missing.
Hollywood Police Officer Mark Robbins wrote in a report, "I believe the suspects are still in possession of a large quantity of the victim’s property." Records show Marsicek and Bulinski were arrested in the 5900 block of Taft Street. They are being held in Broward County on counts that include first-degree grand theft, pawning items with false information and dealing in stolen property. Their bonds were set at $125,000, and any money used to secure their release must be proven legitimate. Authorities say a third person, identified in court records as Mary Ann MacPherson, is also slated to face charges but had not been booked in Broward or Pasco as of Monday, according to Local 10.
How Police Say A Longtime Acquaintance Ended Up A Suspect
Investigators say the homeowner and MacPherson have known each other since the 1980s, when they worked together part time at a jewelry store. According to police, MacPherson later returned to South Florida and moved in with the woman under the condition that she pay rent and find work.
Detectives allege that Marsicek initially slept in his car and later in a tent outside the home before he began a relationship with Bulinski. The three allegedly shared ongoing complaints about money while receiving government benefits. As the criminal case unfolds, investigators are canvassing local coin dealers and pawn shops in an effort to trace additional coin sales and recover more of the missing collection.
Why Coin And Gold Thefts Are On The Rise
Law enforcement officials and investigative reporters say that as precious metals have become more valuable and easier to resell, schemes targeting coins and other collectibles have grown more common. A Hearst Television investigation published by the Houston Chronicle found that more than $262 million was lost to gold-related scams from January through October 2025. The report noted that thieves often turn to pawn shops, couriers and online marketplaces to move stolen metal quickly. Police warn that once items enter that pipeline, recovering them becomes difficult unless dealers and buyers are willing to cooperate.
The Charges And What They Could Mean In Court
Marsicek and Bulinski face first-degree grand theft and related charges. Under Florida law, theft of property valued at $100,000 or more can be charged as a first-degree felony. As outlined in the Florida Statutes, the degree of grand theft depends on the value of the stolen property, with penalties that increase for higher amounts.
The pair are expected to appear in Broward County criminal court as the investigation continues and prosecutors review the evidence against them.
