Early Saturday morning brought a distressing scene to Red Castle Games in Southeast Portland. The owner, Matthew Micetic, was awakened to the news of his store being targeted by robbers. This incident is not the first time the store has faced such a setback. Last year alone, there were either five or six break-ins, with one last fall costing a significant amount - over $60,000.

Security Camera Footage Reveals the Thief's Actions

The security camera footage clearly shows the thief entering through the front door using a crowbar. The door bears clear markings, indicating it was pried open despite Micetic's previous reinforcement efforts. The thief then made their way to the case where multiple trading card games and other merchandise were stored. You can see where the locking mechanism used to be; the thief simply pried the whole thing out, causing some damage to the glass. They went on to clean out the entire case, taking items such as Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon. It was at this point that the audible alarm was triggered. Micetic estimates that around $1,200 worth of items were stolen, but he expects the total damages to increase to a few thousand dollars once the cost of repairing the door and the case is factored in.

Impact on the Business and Community

The store had managed to avoid a burglary all year until now, just a few weeks before Christmas. Micetic expressed his determination, stating that they won't go out of business. However, he also acknowledged the challenges of the retail industry, questioning why he continues to persevere. Some new trading cards may be inexpensive, but older ones can be extremely valuable, ranging from hundreds to even thousands of dollars. Fortunately, none of the valuable cards were in the stolen case. Shoppers and gamers like Calista Clark, who visits the store around once a week, see it as more than just a business. "Having a place where I can go and potentially meet others with similar interests is a huge part of my life," she said. Adam Madison, who was playing a game with friends inside the store, agreed. "It's a great store where you can meet new people and buy great products. It's a local business and a community, and when people take from the community, they hurt everyone who comes here."

Call to Support the Store

During this difficult time, Micetic simply asks that people come and shop to support the store. Police are currently investigating the case, and the suspect managed to get away before their arrival. The community is rallying behind Red Castle Games, hoping for a swift resolution and the restoration of normalcy.