Duo Steals Thousands of Dollars in Merchandise from Trading Card Store
San Antonio – A local trading card store faced a massive setback this past weekend when thieves made off with a large stash of merchandise, valued at around $15,000, during a brazen late-night robbery. Joe Adam, the owner of TCG Exchange located inside BesTea Café on the Northwest Side, reported the incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The Break-In
According to Adam, the robbers managed to break in through a side window. Once inside, they wasted no time stuffing their loot into black trash bags. Surveillance footage captured the duo, offering a clear look into how quickly they rummaged through the store. “They stole everything within eight minutes,” Adam recounted. “It was incredibly fast.”
Owner’s Response
As soon as he received an alert on his phone about motion in the store, Adam called 911 to report the robbery. However, by the time police arrived, one thief had sprinted off on foot, while the other quickly fled in a vehicle. Adam noted that it seemed like the criminals had their plans well laid out. “It appears they knew exactly what they were going for,” he said. “They seemed experienced, as if they had done their homework on the store.”
Targeted Items
The thieves were selective in what they took. Adam explained that they avoided less expensive items and went straight for high-value collectibles. “They took an entire case of singles and emptied our binders full of cards,” he stated, showcasing that their focus was clearly on items that could easily be sold for profit.
Impact on Business
This incident marks a tough blow for TCG Exchange, which has only been operational for less than a year. Adam is currently initiating contact with his insurance company to seek compensation for the loss. Despite the chaos, he expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the community. Many customers came in after the robbery to donate items to help recoup losses. “The Pokémon community is actually helping me be stronger,” he shared, appreciating the solidarity of local fans.
Conclusion
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities small businesses face in today’s climate. Adam remains hopeful that with the help of his loyal customers and the community, TCG Exchange will recover from this significant setback.
