JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When Ben Kingsbury left his Jacksonville comic book store to attend a Jaguars game earlier this month, he did not know his business would become the target of a theft during the busy holiday season.
Kingsbury, the owner of the popular Gotham City Limit shop, said two people entered the store on a Sunday afternoon, distracted employees and stole merchandise while he was away.
“It’s a dejecting feeling, not only to feel like you’ve been robbed, but you feel as if someone has taken advantage of you,” Kingsbury said.
Kingsbury said the suspects remained inside the store for nearly an hour. Surveillance video shows the two individuals working together, with one person appearing to distract employees while the other took items from the store.
The stolen merchandise included three expensive comic books, totaling around $2,000.
Kingsbury said what affected him most was how the theft impacted his employees during the holiday season.
“The feeling from my employees was the worst,” Kingsbury said. “It’s the holidays. They’re working hard, we’re rocking and rolling, and they’re feeling good about what’s happening. Then someone goes and does that. They go home feeling guilty, like they’re at fault in some way.”
After Kingsbury shared surveillance video and asked for the public’s help, he said the stolen merchandise was returned to the store just before Christmas.
Kingsbury said the individuals walked into the shop and returned the items. He called it a Christmas miracle.
“I don’t want to be angry—that’s not the point of it,” Kingsbury said. “If you can return the merchandise, there is something to that.”
Kingsbury said this started off as a devastating experience that turned into a happy ending, all thanks to the Jacksonville community.
It remains unclear whether charges will be filed in the case.
Kingsbury said he is grateful the merchandise was returned and credited community involvement for helping bring the situation to a resolution. Gotham City Limit has been operating in Jacksonville for eight years.