Collectibles Dealers on Alert After Overnight Incidents
Southern California collectibles dealers are feeling uneasy following a string of overnight burglaries that affected multiple stores.
A new shop owner in La Verne faces particular distress after his business was broken into mere days before its planned grand opening celebration.
The intruder thoroughly searched the card collectible store during the night, making off with merchandise valued at thousands of dollars.
Surveillance footage from 44 Collectibles reveals the burglar breaking through the front entrance and display cases, leaving shattered glass scattered across the floor.
The thief damaged display units and stole various vintage sports memorabilia along with Pokémon trading cards.
"We had vintage Hank Aaron's, Mantles, priceless stuff, stuff that my dad gave me," stated Niko Mongenel, proprietor of 44 Collectibles.
According to the owner, the stolen items were worth around $20,000. He had launched the store approximately four months earlier and was anticipating a grand opening event on New Year's Day.
Among the taken sports cards was one with deep personal significance—a gift from the owner's father—now missing.
"I'm angry. I'm hurt. It just sucks. Putting so much time into something to have it just swept away just like that is heartbreaking," Mongenel expressed. "We're just trying to have a good time here and spread just joy and welcome everybody, and anything that takes away from that, you know, it hurts."
The shop's security camera recorded an image of the perpetrator, whose face was concealed by a hoodie.
Crime Spree Extends to Multiple Locations
The initial break-in occurred around 3 a.m. at the La Verne downtown store, but the criminal activity continued elsewhere.
At approximately 3:30 a.m., the thief was observed near A&N Collectibles, located about five minutes away in San Dimas.
"He starts looking through our windows, I guess he was probably looking for a weak spot," remarked owner Aaron Tom. "Then eventually, I don't know if something scared him away, or he just realized, 'No, this is going to take me too long,' and then he left."
The thief's determination persisted, as surveillance video captured him entering a card collectible shop in San Gabriel an hour later.
The individual was filmed with a bag full of stolen items after breaking a window and a display case.
The store owner, speaking off-camera to Eyewitness News, voiced fears about a potential return.
In San Dimas, Tom also shared his concerns.
"They have made the rounds. They're criminals. They need to be caught," he asserted.
As authorities look into the probable link between these incidents, Mongenel holds onto hope for recovery.
"I don't wish this on anybody. Hopefully, we can put a stop to it," he said.
Law enforcement is also probing a separate burglary at a trading card and collectibles store where over $100,000 in merchandise, primarily Pokémon products, was taken.
