TOLEDO, Ohio – Never underestimate the power of security cameras.
A man who stole $1,400 worth of comic books from JC’s Comics ‘N’ More recently returned the stolen goods after a local newscast aired video surveillance footage of the incident, Comic Book Resources reports.
Store owner James Collins released surveillance footage to 13abc.com in hopes of finding the assailant.
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In the video, a man is seen stuffing comic books down his pants. He then grabs more books, again shoving them down his pants as he faces away from the camera.
The suspect stole seven copies of Marvel’s Civil War comics with variant covers. The hard-to-find comic books are worth anywhere from $70 and $250 apiece.
Collins first noticed the missing comics when he viewed the security camera footage. The store owner was tending to other business when the incident took place, so he didn’t see the man nor his accomplice, enter or leave the store.
Once the surveillance footage aired on the newscast, things got interesting. One of the comments on 13abc.com offered the thief’s nickname, and apparently the suspect felt some heat, Comic Book Resource reports.
The comics were initially offered for sale on Craigslist; however, they were ultimately returned, left in a bag at the front door of the store.
Collins, who installed security cameras in the shop a month before the incident, is now installing placing plexi-glass over the pricier comics on the walls. He also plans to press charges, 13abc.com reports.
Authorities claim they know who the thief is, and are currently looking for him.
