JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a dejecting feeling, not only to feel like you\u2019ve been robbed, but you feel as if someone has taken advantage of you,\u201d Kingsbury said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The stolen merchandise included three expensive comic books, totaling around $2,000.<\/p>\n
Kingsbury said what affected him most was how the theft impacted his employees during the holiday season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe feeling from my employees was the worst,\u201d Kingsbury said. \u201cIt\u2019s the holidays. They\u2019re working hard, we\u2019re rocking and rolling, and they\u2019re feeling good about what\u2019s happening. Then someone goes and does that. They go home feeling guilty, like they\u2019re at fault in some way.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Kingsbury shared surveillance video and asked for the public\u2019s help, he said the stolen merchandise was returned to the store just before Christmas. <\/p>\n
Kingsbury said the individuals walked into the shop and returned the items. He called it a Christmas miracle. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to be angry\u2014that\u2019s not the point of it,\u201d Kingsbury said. \u201cIf you can return the merchandise, there is something to that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kingsbury said this started off as a devastating experience that turned into a happy ending, all thanks to the Jacksonville community. <\/p>\n
It remains unclear whether charges will be filed in the case.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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