$7,000 in Rams merchandise stolen

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams merchandise appears to be in hot demand these days -- even by thieves.

Police are investigating the theft late Wednesday or early Thursday of about $7,000 worth of Rams-related items from Chip Bartz's "Almost Everything" sports shop. Items reportedly taken included about 130 Rams jerseys and 50 Rams jackets, along with $30 to $40 cash.

Bartz said that in anticipation of a good sales year in light of the Rams being favorites to win the Super Bowl, he built up the largest inventory he's had.

The burglary took place hours after Rams quarterback Kurt Warner won the NFL's MVP award, edging teammate running back Marshall Faulk.

"I've been getting some publicity lately with Warner being the MVP, and some of the news media outlets have been coming in and interviewing me because I had Rams jerseys in stock," Bartz said, trying to figure out the crime's motives.

"So I guess the publicity isn't as good as I thought it would be. So now it's bad publicity, but any publicity is good publicity I guess, I don't know."

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