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'I assure you we are open' | Thieves target Cooper-Young comic book shop & toy store

Memphis Police said thieves targeted both 901 Comics and 901 Toys on Young Ave. in the early morning hours Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Movie fans in Cooper-Young may notice a sign on the local comic book shop which seems familiar.

The sign on the window at 901 Comics on Young Ave. now reads “I assure you we are open,” a nod to the movie ‘Clerks,’ by ‘Comic Book Men’ creator Kevin Smith.

It was put up Friday morning, Jan. 26, 2024, after Memphis Police said the comic shop and neighboring toy store were targeted by thieves early in the morning.

MPD officers first responded to a prowler call at the comic shop in the 2100 block of Young Ave. about 3:45 a.m. The front window of the store had been broken in.

Investigators said three suspects wearing gloves were seen on surveillance video inside the store, and they walked inside and behind the register, but then took off without taking anything.

MPD said about 4:15 a.m., they responded a couple doors down from 901 Comics at 901 Toys, where the glass in the front door was broken. Investigators said the same three suspects in gloves were seen on security video there breaking in and climbing through to get in. Police said once again, the suspects left without taking anything.

MPD said the Real-Time Crime Center spotted a silver Kia sedan circling the area and stopping at three businesses, breaking into two of them: 901 Comics and 901 Toys.

In a statement to ABC24, Harry Koniditsiotis, co-owner of 901 Toys, said, "It’s a real shame that a few losers think they can find some quick cash breaking into a small business. Especially since no one uses cash anymore. The customers at 901 Toys are the best people and we will continue to move forward to serve them in our great community of Memphis."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. 

901 Comics and 901 Toys were broken into this morning, they got in the store but didn’t take anything! But I assure you, we are open! @thatkevinsmith

Posted by 901 Comics on Friday, January 26, 2024

Additionally, 901 Toys said on social media that a thief had broken into a storage building they use and that staff at the store know the person responsible. 901 Comics said that same person tried to sell the items he had just stolen to another store. A staff member of 901 Comics went to the building and caught the thief walking down the street before apprehending him and giving him over to police. They said they are still missing around $2,000 worth of product.

Insult to injury, someone broke into our 901 Storage building last night. Lol. Shout out to the staff at Comics & Collectibles and being heads up and snapping a pic. We actually know the thief!

Posted by 901 Toys on Friday, January 26, 2024

So you can’t make this stuff up. Last night the comic book store, and the toy store were broken into. We’ve got video...

Posted by 901 Comics on Friday, January 26, 2024

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