Case Closed on Lance Alworth's Stolen Super Bowl Ring [Video]

Updated 12 p.m. Tuesday

A 1971 Super Bowl ring belonging to former San Diego Charger Lance Alworth was found at an auction house in Laguna Niguel -- 25 years after it was stolen, authorities announced.

The ring was on exhibit at Trophy's Restaurant in Mission Valley, along with other local sports memorabilia, when it was stolen in 1988, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

On Sept. 7, Alworth received a call from a stranger who demanded $40,000 for the return of the ring, sheriff's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said. Detectives with the Sheriff's Department's Encinitas station launched an investigation and located the ring at an auction house in Laguna Nigel, where it was scheduled to go up for bid on Nov. 20, she said, noting the auction was expected to open at $44,000.

Encinitas detectives with the Sheriff's Department have two to three people of interest ages 42-68 from Palm Springs and are getting arrest warrants. The crime is considered a felony. 

After signing for his stolen property, Alworth snapped the jewelry box shut with his ring inside and said, "case closed," with a smile. He added that he never thought he'd see the ring again, saying it's a miracle. The ring will go in his safe, and it is not for sale. 

–City News Service contributed to this report