Photo via Instagram @everyonecomics
Aug. 20, 2024 By Shane O’Brien
Long Island City comic book store Everyone Comics x Collectibles suffered a second break-in this year when a thief kicked in the store’s glass door over the weekend and made off with around $300 in cash and a number of collectibles.
The store, located at 41-26 27th St., has updated a GoFundMe initially launched after a January burglary in response to the recent break-in, which took place at around 1 a.m. on Sunday.
Store manager Gabe Cruz said the thief stole San Diego Comic Con exclusives and Funko POP toys in addition to the $300 cash, but said the glass door damaged during the break-in is the costliest to replace.
He said the updated GoFundMe is seeking to raise funds for bars on the door to prevent similar break-ins in the future.
“We’re trying to reinforce our security so we can avoid this happening again,” Cruz said. “We’re looking to put bars on the doors. That way, even if someone breaks the glass, they won’t be able to get in as easily.”
Photo via Everyone Comics
Cruz said the store was in a far better place financially to deal with the break-in than the January incident, which occurred at a time when business was slow after a difficult year in 2023.
The two break-ins were committed by two different people, according to CCTV footage from the store. NYPD officers visited the store following the recent break-in, but told staff that they had little hope of apprehending the suspect because he had used gloves during the robbery, Cruz said.
Cruz hit out at the two thieves for hurting a local business.
“Hurting a local business does nothing,” Cruz said. “Let’s be honest, whatever he took from the register couldn’t have been enough that would make it worth it.”
“Even if you think stealing is a non-violent crime, when you steal from people who don’t have a lot to begin with, it kind of hurts everyone around them.”
Members of the local community have donated more than $8,000 to the store’s GoFundMe since the first incident in January to help Everyone Comics recover from the two incidents.
Cruz paid tribute to customers and members of the local community who have supported the store following the two break-ins this year, stating that their support has been “integral” to the store’s survival.
In a post on GoFundMe, store founder Dimitrios Fragiskatos also paid tribute to anyone who has supported the store.
“It is not easy running a hobby shop in New York City in 2024, but your support and love has outweighed the damage we incurred,” Fragiskatos said.
