Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Dec 10, 2014 10:05:44 GMT -6
Wichita, Kansas’ KWCH TV is showcasing the Nov. 19 burglary of comics and collectibles store Riverhouse Traders as its Crime Stoppers crime of the week. The thieves apparently knew what they were looking for, and stole a reported $300,000 worth of rare comic books and memorabilia, leaving owner Mark Rowland with an unwanted shift in priorities: He has always given free comics to local children who get As on their report cards, and he provides giftsto local families at Christmas, but this year he has to cut back to pay for a security system.
www.kwch.com/news/local-news/comic-book-theft-now-top-priority-for-crimestoppers/30137394
WICHITA, Kan. -
Crime Stoppers is now involved in a case that left a comic book store owner out hundreds of thousands of dollars. But it's not what he's lost, rather what he can't give that has him so upset.
About a year ago Mark Rowland opened his comic book and memorabilia shop, River House Traders.
"I have one of the largest antique comic book and toy collections west of Mississippi. I've been collecting comic books for 50 years," said Rowland.
He's a passionate collector with a lot of stuff. He estimates he has over 4 million comic books and 180,000 toys from before 1980.
Around 5:30 Tuesday morning, on November 19, someone broke into Rowland's store.
"I had some pretty lax security for what I had in here," said Rowland.
Thieves knew what they were doing, grabbing specific rare and valuable comic books and memorabilia.
"I'm going to take a loss on it. It's going to change the way I do business," said Rowland.
Total value, over $300,000.
Even though there are a lot of collectibles in Rowland's store - worth a lot of money, they aren't Rowland's number one priority. He says he does what he does for kids and for peace.
But this year, Rowland says, because of the money he lost in the theft, there are a lot of kids he won't be able to help.
"The reason I started this stuff is when I was in the service it gave me a lot of peace and I didn't have these things when I was a kid, and my biggest thrill is not the money, it's the giving them to kids that don't have them, that's what comic books and toy is just for a moment of peace," said Rowland.
Year-round students show him their report card and for every 'A', Rowland gives them a free comic. For Christmas, he does a little more for kids in need.
"I give them a Santa Claus gift, a surprise, a sack full of stuff for the kids," said Rowland.
This year he had to spend all that money to increase the security at his store, adding cameras, a new security system and reinforcing doors.
"What it really hurts is my ability to help families with no toys this Christmas," said Rowland.
Regardless, he still plans to help where he can.
Crime Stoppers has this crime now listed as their crime of the week. If you know anything call them at 316.267.2111.
www.kwch.com/news/local-news/comic-book-theft-now-top-priority-for-crimestoppers/30137394
WICHITA, Kan. -
Crime Stoppers is now involved in a case that left a comic book store owner out hundreds of thousands of dollars. But it's not what he's lost, rather what he can't give that has him so upset.
About a year ago Mark Rowland opened his comic book and memorabilia shop, River House Traders.
"I have one of the largest antique comic book and toy collections west of Mississippi. I've been collecting comic books for 50 years," said Rowland.
He's a passionate collector with a lot of stuff. He estimates he has over 4 million comic books and 180,000 toys from before 1980.
Around 5:30 Tuesday morning, on November 19, someone broke into Rowland's store.
"I had some pretty lax security for what I had in here," said Rowland.
Thieves knew what they were doing, grabbing specific rare and valuable comic books and memorabilia.
"I'm going to take a loss on it. It's going to change the way I do business," said Rowland.
Total value, over $300,000.
Even though there are a lot of collectibles in Rowland's store - worth a lot of money, they aren't Rowland's number one priority. He says he does what he does for kids and for peace.
But this year, Rowland says, because of the money he lost in the theft, there are a lot of kids he won't be able to help.
"The reason I started this stuff is when I was in the service it gave me a lot of peace and I didn't have these things when I was a kid, and my biggest thrill is not the money, it's the giving them to kids that don't have them, that's what comic books and toy is just for a moment of peace," said Rowland.
Year-round students show him their report card and for every 'A', Rowland gives them a free comic. For Christmas, he does a little more for kids in need.
"I give them a Santa Claus gift, a surprise, a sack full of stuff for the kids," said Rowland.
This year he had to spend all that money to increase the security at his store, adding cameras, a new security system and reinforcing doors.
"What it really hurts is my ability to help families with no toys this Christmas," said Rowland.
Regardless, he still plans to help where he can.
Crime Stoppers has this crime now listed as their crime of the week. If you know anything call them at 316.267.2111.