A vintage collectibles dealer says approximately $130,000 worth of merchandise was stolen from a storage unit in Corona, dealing a major setback to his business.
ByRob McMillan
Saturday, September 19, 2026 4:41PM
CORONA, Calif. (KABC) –A vintage collectibles dealer says approximately $130,000 worth of merchandise was stolen from a storage unit in Corona, dealing a major setback to a business he has spent years building.
Chuck Runge, owner of Runge Toys Vintage Collectibles and a vendor at Groovy Ghost Vintage in Orange, said collecting has been a lifelong passion.
“My collection is mainly World War II collectibles, 1 to 6 scale figures, G.I. Joes, Barbies, Hot Wheels, Diecast, Star Wars,” Runge said.
Runge said the collectibles were stored at CubeSmart Self Storage on Green River Road in Corona and were discovered missing this past Tuesday.
“It’s been a struggle because this was my dream. And to have your dream so close and then to be removed was devastating,” Runge said.
He said he is not sure exactly when the theft occurred. The last time he had been at the storage unit was Aug. 3.
Runge believes someone who may have seen the contents of the unit on that day could be connected to the theft.
“I started going through some stuff (that day), I heard somebody pushing a cart walking down the aisle,” said Runge, who said he then quickly tried to close the door so the person wouldn’t see the contents inside the storage unit.
“I ran to the door, and (accidentally) knocked over a box of collectibles that fell in front of her, I said “hey,” and she said “hey.” She walked away. That was the only person that’s ever seen inside that unit,” he said.
Runge has reported the theft to Corona police. He said police told him similar incidents have occurred before at the facility.
“The officer did relay that she’s here constantly. Unfortunately, it is a thing that happened in storage units,” Runge said.
It is unclear whether surveillance video captured any information that could assist investigators.
Despite the loss, Runge said he has enough inventory remaining to continue operating his business for now. He has also created a GoFundMe campaign to help recover from the theft and is asking the public to watch for any of the stolen items being offered for sale.
“I have enough inventory at the house to continue going for at least the next two years, hopefully. But the goal is to recoup some of this money back so I can continue to grow for the next five to 10 years and actually have this become a brick-and-mortar store,” Runge said.
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