Coronado Doctor Charged in Coin Thefts : Surgeon Is Accused of Stealing $500,000 Worth of Rare Pieces

A millionaire heart surgeon from Coronado was arrested Saturday in New York City, where police have charged him with stealing more than $500,000 worth of rare coins from the headquarters of the American Numismatic Society.

Dr. Juan B. Suros XII, 48, was arrested after police searched his room at the exclusive Harvard Club in Manhattan and discovered 91 stolen coins in his briefcase, said New York Police Officer Joseph Gallagher. Gallagher said that an additional eight stolen coins were recovered from Suros’ home on Isabella Avenue with the assistance of local authorities.

As a member and contributor to the society, Suros was allowed to handle the rare coins. According to Gallagher, society officials noticed two months ago that several coins--most of which were Spanish and Mexican--would mysteriously disappear every time Suros handled the trays.

“You don’t have to be Inspector Clouseau to figure this one out,” Gallagher said.

Shown Two Trays

Police said society officials were ready for Suros when he appeared at their office Thursday and Friday. Gallagher said that Suros was shown two trays Thursday and one Friday. When the trays were returned, 13 coins, worth about $70,000, were reported missing, he added.

A warrant was issued Saturday for a search of Suros’ room and 91 coins, most of which were alleged to have been stolen from the society over the past two months, were recovered from his briefcase. Gallagher said the previously stolen coins were valued at $500,000. Gallagher said a subsequent search of Suros’ Coronado home led to the recovery of an additional eight missing coins.

Suros was charged with grand larceny and was still in a New York City jail Monday awaiting arraignment, Gallagher said.

Suros graduated from the University of Barcelona in Spain and is board-certified in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. David Knetzer, spokesman for the San Diego County Medical Society, said that Suros is “very well thought of” by his colleagues. “He’s an excellent surgeon,” he added.

Knetzer said that Suros’ wife, Kathleen, has been active in the society’s medical auxiliary and was its president in 1984-85. Suros, who practices at Chula Vista Community and Scripps Bay General hospitals, has offices in Coronado and Chula Vista. Several of his colleagues who were contacted by The Times declined to comment.

Suros’ beachfront house, which is valued at $1 million, was designed by famed architect Irving Gill and built in 1910 for Percival Thompson, brother of former Chicago Mayor “Big” Bill Thompson. Neighborhood lore has it that it was also used as a summer home by mobster Al Capone.