JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Burglars got into a local game store Sunday morning leaving and left with some of the store’s most valuable collectibles.
Jacksonville Game Center carries hundreds of game cards, but they used to carry a lot more before burglars hit their business early Sunday morning.
Justin Pettinger shops at the game center.
“I was trying to see if they were open this morning but then I saw the windows were busted out,” said Pettinger.
Pettinger said the business has some of the most valuable Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering trading cards in the area.
“That is really low to steal cards but they’re worth money,” Pettinger said.
Pettinger told Action News Jax the place is special and it's clear whoever did this had been there before.
“I know there are a couple of cards that are worth, like, thousands of dollars.
They can sell them on eBay or trade them in somewhere else," he said.
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Andre Jarrell owns Dental Place of Jax nearby.
“This game store right here is always busy. It's a popular location here in this plaza,” Jarrell said.
He said the area has seen its share of break-ins.
“We haven’t had any incidents but, on this side of the plaza, we’ve seen some problems,” he said.
Jarrell said the strip mall needs to tighten its security.
“We need better security,” Jarrell said.
People who shop here agree.
“Maybe have security patrol the area because there is a college near here,” said Pettinger. "I think it’s a shame."
The store owner refused to go on camera but said he is working with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to figure out how many items were stolen.