The estimated loss is valued at somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000; merchandise and financial donations are helping support the business, operators said.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A video game store in Sacramento is recovering after someone reportedly broke in Monday and took a variety of items.

The person accused of stealing from 1-Up Retro Video Games on J Street allegedly cut through a neighboring business’s fence around 2 a.m., shimmied through a narrow space between buildings and destroyed a window to get inside, according to owner Travis Boune.

Boune said the thief broke cases and stuffed trash bags with cards, collectibles, games and consoles. The estimated loss is valued at somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000, according to the business.

“The highest single item that was taken was $2000,” Boune told ABC10 on Monday. “So unfortunately, yeah, it added up pretty quick.”

A store manager came to open the shop Monday morning and called Boune because he had trouble getting inside, thinking something was wrong with the door. 

“He got in, and he’s like, ‘Oh, you don’t have to come down. I got in,’” Boune said. “He called me right back and he’s like, ‘Oh, hey, there’s broken glass in here. You have to get down here.’”

Operators then called law enforcement, who were reportedly able to collect fingerprints and surveillance video.

“We definitely wanna thank our community,” Bounce said. “They offered a lot of support.”


Community support

The community met 1-Up Retro Video Games with an overwhelmingly positive response after the break-in, according to store manager Bryan Leal.

“Out of this horrible event arose a beautiful support system that just came out, and we are forever grateful,” Leal said via a phone interview Thursday.

Games stores across greater Sacramento and the Bay Area have donated games, cards and toys to help the shop rebound. One child even brought a card and cookies.

Studio Hero, a tattoo parlor on J Street about one mile west of 1-Up, will host a flash fundraiser from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, and all proceeds help the video game store recover recently stolen inventory. 

A Go Fund Me has also been set up to help the business.

Boune said 1-Up Retro Video Games will celebrate its five-year anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 29 with a game swap. A flyer on the business’s social media said the event from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. will see a live DJ and food truck.

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