Duo steals thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from trading card store, says owner

SAN ANTONIO – A trading card store suffered a significant setback over the weekend after thousands of dollars worth of merchandise was robbed, the store owner said.

Joe Adam, owner of TCG Exchange at BesTea Café in northwest San Antonio, said his business was robbed around 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

Two people are accused of breaking into the store through one of the side windows. Adam said they stole about $15,000 worth of merchandise within eight minutes.

The robbery was captured on video from a security camera in the store. The video shows the two people stuffing items into black garbage bags before the police arrive.

“When I saw the movement on my phone, I immediately called 911 and said, ‘Hey, we have two people in the store taking stuff,'” Adam said.

When police arrived on scene, Adam said one person fled on foot while the other person fled in a vehicle.

Adam does not believe that the police pursued either person after the robbery.

“It seemed like they knew what they wanted in some ways. So they most likely did their homework. They’ve been here before and I’m sure they’re probably the ones who have done it with other stores as well,” Adam said.

Adam said the couple knew what they were going to steal from his trading card shop. They apparently avoided less expensive items and took things that were worth more.

“They took a lot of singles, as you can see. Like in this whole case. They just came here and packed up everything that was here. They took our folders full of cards,” Adam said.

In an interview on Sunday, Adam said he founded TCG Exchange last year, so he is still in the process of contacting his insurance company to potentially seek compensation for the theft.

Although Adams’ business has suffered a devastating blow, he said he is grateful to customers who came to the store after the robbery to donate items that could be recouped through a sale.

“The Pokémon community actually helps me get stronger,” Adam said. “That’s what keeps me going.”