Fundraiser started for Empire’s Comics Vault in Arden Arcade after latest burglary
Friends have started an online fundraiser for the owner of Empire’s Comics Vault store in Arden Arcade after a burglar smashed through two doors this week, leaving behind thousands of dollars in damage and stealing a few hundred dollars worth in comics.
This was the fourth time Ben Schwartz’s comic book store has been burglarized, and the business owner said he’s grown even more frustrated with each burglary.
“He bashed his way through the door, breaking the glass and he completely destroyed the wood frame,” Schwartz told The Sacramento Bee on Thursday.
Empire’s Comics Vault, at 1120 Fulton Ave., is more than just a comic book store. The business hosts art events, writing nights, stand-up comedy, creator signings, graphic novel discussion groups, movie nights, Lego brick builders, paint nights, creative interviews, in-store mini-conventions, parking lot festivals and charity events, according to its website.
Schwartz said the latest burglary occurred about 7 a.m. Wednesday; the burglar broke in with clothing completely covering his body. Schwartz said he watched the store’s security camera video and saw the burglar wearing a baseball cap, a hooded-sweatshirt, jeans and white shoes.
The owner said the burglar “came prepared, completely covered” to conceal his identity in front of the cameras, and he wasn’t able to see whether the cap had any logos or other descriptive features. But it appeared to Schwartz that the burglar was not carrying any burglary tools to pry open the doors.
“No, he did it all by himself,” Schwartz said describing how the burglar used his body to smash through the front door and break open a locked metal back door.
Sgt. Rodney Grassmann, a Sacramento County sheriff’s spokesman, said deputies responded to the business Wednesday, took a report on the burglary and reviewed the store’s security camera video. The burglary remained under investigation; no arrests had been made.
It will cost possibly $3,000 to $4,000 to replace the two doors, Schwartz said. The store opened Wednesday for “Comic Book Day,” but Schwartz had to let customers in through a side door. He covered the front entrance with plywood, and it might be another several weeks before he can get the front door replaced.
Schwartz said about $300 to $400 worth of comic books, including some variant editions, were stolen during Wednesday’s burglary.
Marc Cinder started a Gofundme online fundraiser for Empire’s Comics Vault to help Schwartz recover some of the costs from the burglary not covered by insurance. He said Schwartz might need to have a more secure front entrance installed at his store.
“As we know, small business continue to struggle after the past year. Ben has worked hard through these challenging times to maintain his business, and provide an outlet for the community. Putting books in the hands of all readers, young and old,” Cinder wrote on the GoFundme page. “I feel it is our turn to kick in, and as a community, support Empire Comic’s Vault.”
This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 1:55 PM.
