Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, HRL

Canadian Police Seek Thieves Who Stole Over $300,000 Worth Of Comic Books

Thieves in the Toronto area have reportedly stolen over $300,000 worth of comics from one local comic shop owner over the course of two separate break-ins.

According to a press release from the Durham Regional Police website, thieves broke into the Newcastle home of the comic shop owner during work hours and stole $54,000 worth of comics on September 18th. They followed that up on September 23rd by breaking into the store's warehouse in Pickering and stealing another box of comics, this one worth around $250,000.

A thread on the CGC forums identifies the store as Guardian Comics, and it turns out that many of the rare books stolen were CGC graded, which means they come with unique serial numbers. The owner has posted a list of the most identifiable comics along with their serial numbers:

And the remaining books, for which serial numbers aren't yet listed:

Age of Ultron #1 9.8 WHITE (J Scott Campbell cover, Midtown BW variant SS by Stan Lee)

Age of Ultron #1 9.8 WHITE (J Scott Campbell cover, Midtown Colour variant SS by Stan Lee)

Age of Ultron #1 9.8 WHITE (blank, signed and sketched by Rob Hunter)

Age of Ultron #1 9.6 WHITE (blank, signed and sketched by Savy Lim)

ASM #29 7.5 C-OW

ASM #40 8.5 OW-W

ASM #58 9.0 C-OW

ASM #80 6.5 White

ASM #83 8.0 C-OW

ASM #103 8.5 OW

ASM #130 9.4 White

ASM #184 9.2 WHITE (#184 written on first page in marker)

ASM #199 9.4 OW-W

ASM #243 9.6 WHITE

ASM #253 9.6 WHITE

ASM #299 9.6 WHITE

ASM #311 9.6 WHITE

ASM #317 9.4 WHITE

ASM #318 9.6 WHITE

ASM #321 9.6 WHITE

ASM #323 9.6 WHITE (old label)

ASM #331 9.6 WHITE

ASM #334 9.6 WHITE

ASM #337 9.6 WHITE

ASM #340 9.6 WHITE

ASM #384 9.4 WHITE

ASM #385 9.4 WHITE

ASM #388 9.6 WHITE

ASM #396 9.4 WHITE

ASM #407 9.4 WHITE

ASM #408 9.6 WHITE

ASM #413 9.4 WHITE

ASM #425 9.4 WHITE

ASM #433 9.6 WHITE

ASM volume #2 #5 9.6 WHITE

ASM volume #2 #26 9.6 WHITE

ASM #501 9.6 WHITE

ASM #507 9.6 WHITE

ASM #509 9.6 WHITE

ASM #512 9.6 WHITE

ASM #514 9.6 WHITE

ASM #519 9.6 WHITE

ASM #524 9.6 WHITE

ASM #546 9.6 WHITE

ASM #666 9.4 WHITE (second printing)

ASM Annual #15 9.0 OW-W

ASM Annual #24 9.2 WHITE

ASM Annual #26 9.4 WHITE

ASM Annual #27 9.4 WHITE

Amazing Spider-Man #1 9.8 WHITE (06/14 Alex Ross Variant cover)

Amazing Spider-Man #14 9.8 WHITE (Noto Variant Cover)

Avengers #55 6.0 OW

Big Hero 6: Brave New Heroes #1 9.4 WHITE

Captain America #235 9.6 WHITE

Creepy #1 7.5 OW-W

Fantastic Four #70 8.5 OW-W

Fantastic Four #108 9.6 OW-W

Fantastic Four #112 8.0 OW-W

Fantastic Four Annual #5 8.5 OW-W

Harbinger #2 9.0 WHITE

Incredible Hulk #106 9.4 C-OW

Invincible #1 9.4 WHITE (Larry's edition, not noted on label)

Marvel Preview #4 6.5 C-OW

Miracleman #1 9.6 WHITE

Silver Surfer #6 8.5 OW (old label)

Silver Surfer #9 8.5 OW-W

Star Wars #3 9.8 WHITE (CBCS Ben Kenobi Action figure variant)

Star Wars #4 9.8 WHITE (Boba Fett Action Figure variant)

Star Wars #9 9.4 WHITE (Star Destroyer Commander Action Figure variant)

Strange Tales #114 3.5 C-OW

Strange Tales Annual #2 5.0 OW (CBCS)

Super-Girl #1 9.8 WHITE (PGX)

Thor #344 9.8 WHITE

Thor #344 9.8 WHITE

Ultimate Origins #1 9.6 WHITE (Micheal Turner variant edition)

Ultimate Spider-Man #2 9.2 WHITE (old label)

Walking Dead #7 9.8 WHITE

Walking Dead #26 9.8 WHITE

Walking Dead #97 9.8 WHITE

Web of Spider-Man #5 9.6 WHITE

X-Men #20 9.0 WHITE

X-Men #75 8.0 WHITE

X-Men #100 9.2 WHITE

X-Men #139 9.6 WHITE

X-Men #143 9.6 WHITE

X-Men #171 9.6 OW-W (old label)

X-Men #179 9.6 WHITE

X-Men #189 9.6 OW-W

X-Men #196 9.6 WHITE

X-Men #202 9.6 WHITE

X-Men #212 9.6 WHITE

X-Men #239 9.6 WHITE

You can see a photo gallery of the stolen books here.

"The police are really on top of things and that's very encouraging," the owner told Bleeding Cool. "I don't know where I'm headed in the future, it's going to be a long road ahead, and right now the sight of a single comic book instead of joyous is rather depressing at this moment."

Information about the suspects released by the police identifies them as "two men with their faces covered with masks and scarves, both of whom were wearing gloves." Of course, the men probably don't wear masks and scarves when they aren't out burgling rare comics, so you can best help by looking out for any of the comics listed above and notifying authorities if you see them. The press release notes:

"Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to contact Det. Ludlow of West Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1925.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward."

So if you know anything, or you see or hear of the comics listed above on the market, please give the police a call.

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