A Silsbee collectibles shop owner is preparing to welcome customers back after a burglary he said caused about $100,000 in losses and forced major security upgrades ahead of a planned grand reopening.
Stark Trading Company in Silsbee was burglarized by four suspects who were captured on a store camera during the break-in. Owner Brett Stark said thieves shattered display cases and scattered years of work.
“It was part of my personal collection. As you can see, it was in a protective case to keep the film safe. We actually found this on the street over where they got in their get away vehicle,” Stark said.
Stark said the burglary pushed him to spend more than $20,000 on new metal doors, burglar bars and a vault room as he prepares to reopen Aug. 1. He said that cost is separate from what was stolen.
“There was my personal collection, which, like I said, that one wall alone had about $80,000 worth of stuff on it. We had the other wall was also completely taken. It had 15, $20,000 and stuff on it,” Stark said.
Among the items targeted were newly released Pokemon cards, which Stark said are in high demand and easy to resell.
“Right now, it’s easy to flip on marketplace, eBay, local sell and other shops, things like that. On the video, we see one guy on the phone, and if you listen closely, he’s talking to somebody asking, like, do I get this? Do I get that?” Stark said.
Despite the setback, Stark said the attention surrounding the crime has helped raise awareness of the business.
“The impact where everybody is seeing on this, this circulating, this crime, you know, we have a bigger presence now, more people know about us. It’s amazing. We’re reopening on our one year anniversary,” Stark said.
Silsbee police have not confirmed whether they have any leads on the four suspects.
