Holiday shopping season is in full swing, but instead of spending money, a thief targeted several Louisville shops on Thanksgiving.
A burglar broke into three businesses — including Pop’s Comics on Hess Lane — early Thursday morning. Surveillance footage from Pop’s Comics shows a dark SUV with no license plate pulling into the lot just before 2 a.m. A suspect jumped out and used a heavy piece of metal to slam the front door three times before forcing it open. After failing to get into the back storage room, the thief grabbed the cash register and ran. The entire break-in lasted less than a minute.
Pop’s Comics owner Heather Messmer said the hit came at the worst time.
“This is the biggest time of our year. It definitely hurts a small business trying to make it,” she said, adding that watching the footage was frustrating and disappointing.
The thief stole about $200 and left behind a repair bill of more than $1,000 for the shattered door. LMPD says the same suspect also hit Fat Rabbit on Barrett Avenue and Comic Book World on Shepherdsville Road.
Comic Book World Manager Jacob Maynard said he arrived to clean up broken glass after the break-in. The suspect only took a few dollars, as the shop doesn’t keep cash on hand after hours.
Both comic book stores were stuck with expensive repairs, and Messmer said some Funko Pop packages were stepped on and damaged, forcing her to discount them. She added that repair costs will come from other parts of the business, like convention travel or payroll.
When asked what she’d say to the thief, Messmer replied, “We’re not going to be easy to do this to again. We’re sorry you needed that money. We’d have loved to help you out.”
LMPD has not made any arrests. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip on the LMPD Crime Tip Line at 502-574-LMPD (5673) or through the department’s online Crime Tip Portal.
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