Nova Scotian’s are getting ready to cheer on local hockey legends, Sydney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, as they get ready to go for gold on Sunday, but not everyone is celebrating.
Halifax police say two people stole two authentically signed and framed jerseys off the walls in the entrance of Big Leagues in Bayer’s Lake before taking off.
The manager, Natalie Langley, posted a surveillance video on the restaurant’s social media page that shows a grey SUV pulling up around 8:30 p.m. on February 17. One suspect exited the passenger side and entered the building, loading the frames into the trunk while the driver idled. The thieves were in and out in under 70 seconds.
Langley says that she felt like this was an extremely targeted attack and that people are hurting over the loss.
Front entrance of Big Leagues, Bayer’s Lake. Wall where jersey’s were stolen. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
“There’s no way that this was not premeditated, because those were bolted, like those were screwed in. Those weren’t just hung on the nail or a hook. Those were actually screwed into the wall. And half the brackets are even missing off the wall now, like they’re not even there. So we figure that he’s been coming for some time and working on this, the vehicle also had was stripped of make, model and license plate.”
Screws, brackets missing from wall where Crosby and MacKinnon jersey’s were stolen at Big Leagues in Bayer’s Lake. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
‘We’re thinking of hometown pride. They’re thinking of making a buck’
Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins and MacKinnon’s Colorado Avalanche jerseys hold deep sentimental value for fans and staff, and Langley says it hurts that those items in particular were taken—“if it had been anything else, but this is somebody who we are very proud of.” With both players currently competing in the 2026 Olympics, the timing makes it even harder.
“They know that they’re gonna make money if these boys make it, that the value of those could go up, and they’re thinking about money.”
Inside Big Leagues in Bayer’s Lake. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
‘We’re locally owned and operated’
According to Langley, the owner, Jamie Latter, has been running the original Big Leagues in Cole Harbour for almost 40 years.
“It’s full of memorabilia, but it has a lot more walls than this location. We have a lot of windows,” Langley explains. “So, when he was getting them [jerseys] he picked specifically what he wanted.”
Staff and fans are still hoping the jersey’s will be returned, but no suspects have been identified and police say the investigation is ongoing.
“I’m realizing from this entire thing that happened, is how great a lot of people are. There’s some really crappy people out there clearly, we see this, we know this,” says Langley, “but what we’re getting from the community in return is just incredible.”
