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Description
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Charles Thurman Sinclair: The Coin Shop Killer

Background

Charles Thurman Sinclair, also known as the Coin Shop Killer, was an American criminal suspected of various murders of coin shop owners between the early 1980s and the 1990s. Born on November 24, 1946, in Jal, New Mexico, Sinclair was linked to numerous homicides across the western United States and Canada. He was categorized as a nomadic killer who targeted coin shop owners to rob them of valuable coin collections.

Crimes

Sinclair's method of operation involved making himself known to the owners of coin shops by frequently visiting and pretending to be interested in making a purchase. This constant interaction created an image of a trustworthy regular customer. He would then arrive close to closing time with a small-caliber weapon, shoot and kill the owners, and rob the store. The murders were usually committed with a gun, resulting in immediate death.

Victims

  • David Sutton - January 27, 1980, Everett, Washington
  • Thomas Rohr - August 28, 1985, Mishawaka, Indiana
  • Ruben Williams - November 1, 1986, Vacaville, California
  • Leo Cashatt - July 14, 1987, Spokane, Washington
  • LeRoy Hoffman - March 12, 1988, Kansas City, Missouri
  • Kelly Finnegan (survived) - May 4, 1990, Murray, Utah
  • Charles Sparboe - July 31, 1990, Billings, Montana
  • Catharine Newstrom - July 31, 1990, Billings, Montana
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Victims
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Confirmed Victims: (7)
  • David Sutton , Date of Death: 1980-01-27
  •     ...View 6 additional victims
    Survivors:
  • Kelly Finnegan , Date of Attack: 1990-05-04
  • Killer's Details

    Charles Thurman

    Sinclair

    November 24, 1946 Jal, New Mexico, United States

    October 30, 1990 (aged 43) Anchorage Alaska, United States

    Heart failure

    Male

    White

    The Coin Shop Killer

    Murder, Attempted murder

    13; total unconfirmed

    1980 - 1990

    California, Indiana, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Washington

    August 13, 1990

    07/03/2025