The owner of the Petaluma-based Rancho Obi-Wan, a museum housing what's said to be the world's largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia, claims that he was robbed over the last couple of years of over 100 rare and important pieces, some of which have been resold to other collectors. As The Hollywood Reporter explains, the thief was a friend of the owner, and it was only after another collector purchased one of the allegedly stolen, rare items that the thefts came to light.

Rancho Obi-wan, which offers public tours, is the personal Star Wars memorabilia and action figure collection of Steve Sansweet, a former head of fan relations for LucasFilm. Sansweet announced the news about the theft, and of the arrest of the alleged thief, in a blog post, saying that the arrest occurred in March and that the alleged thief is out on bail — and is a fellow collector and dealer of Star Wars merchandise based in Georgia.

As The Hollywood Reporter notes, "Sansweet became aware of the thefts when an ultra rare Boba Fett figure was purchased by a friend who is also a major collector, who then made Sansweet aware of his purchase. [And] Sansweet is urging anyone who may have bought a rare piece that was too good to be true to contact him as it may be a stolen item."

Sansweet writes, "I have known [the suspect] for many years, considered him a good and trusted friend, and played host to him at my home numerous times. I, and the staff at Rancho Obi-Wan, are devastated that he is the alleged perpetrator of the thefts."

Meanwhile, Star Wars actors Mark Hamill and Peter Mayhew have voiced their thoughts on Twitter.

Any tips on suspected stolen items can be sent to [email protected].