A Sacramento comic book store remains open after a burglar smashed through its front door and stole hundreds of dollars’ worth of merchandise early Tuesday morning.
The cost of repairing Empire’s Comics Vault will likely far exceed the value of the stolen items, store owner Ben C. Schwartz told KCRA 3.
“It’s just unfortunately a cost of doing business,” Schwartz said. “It’s something that happens. It’s something that you have to take into account when it happens. You just kind of have to steady yourself.”
Surveillance video shared with KCRA shows the intruder entering the store and heading behind the counter. Schwartz said the person initially appeared to search for cash before grabbing merchandise.
“He looked behind the counter, went for cash, and he doesn’t know what to do,” Schwartz said while reviewing the video. “So he’s going to come over here and grab some stuff.”
The burglary lasted less than 90 seconds He said the intruder began moving faster after the store’s alarm activated, filled a bag with an abundance of merchandise, and ran away
Schwartz estimates that replacing the damaged entrance could cost between $1,500 and $2,500, depending on the type of replacement selected. He said he plans to install a stronger door.
The burglary is the latest in a series of similar incidents at the store.
“This is probably the fifth time that we’ve had this happen to us here,” Schwartz said.
KCRA previously interviewed Schwartz after a break-in at the business in 2021.
Schwartz has operated Empire’s Comics Vault for more than 24 years, creating a space where customers can browse comics, seek recommendations and spend time with the store’s resident pugs.
Customer Erich W. said the burglary felt personal because of the relationships Schwartz has built with patrons.
“I enjoy coming here and seeing Ben,” Erich said. “Sometimes I need him to recommend something. Sometimes I need him to hold something for me. So it’s definitely, this time, it’s personal.”
Customers began visiting the store Wednesday through its boarded-up entrance after learning about the burglary, Schwartz said.
“Our community outreach — when I told everybody about it — unbelievable,” he said. “We’ve had people coming in this morning and picking up stuff. So it’s been great. The comic community in Sacramento, it’s just second to none. They’re absolutely amazing.”
The store is secure and will remain open while Schwartz waits for new glass and a permanent replacement door.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the person responsible.
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