Toy store loses valuable collectibles in weekend theft

The dark side struck the Owl's Hollow toy store in Charlottetown over the weekend, with thieves making off with thousandsof collectibles, many of them Star Wars toys, stored in a trailer parked just behind the store.

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The toys were collectibles the family had put aside to "gain value," said Steven Balderston, one of the owners of the family-run business.

"I'm not happy about it at all," said Balderston. "It's not nice thieves is one thing that really gets to me."

'Boxes and boxes' gone

Rare 2010 Hasbro Comic-Con-branded inventory including Spiderman, Thor and World of Warcraft figures were taken, along with Harry Potter and Avatar Lego and Halo toys and some now-defunct board games.

Balderston estimated 2,000 to 3,000 toys were taken in all, including "boxes and boxes" of Star Wars figures.

Balderston is most sad about losing a collectible Lego Star Wars X-Wing fighter the store had had for years.

"It's hard to put a value on it," said Balderston, noting he'd recently seen one on E-Bay for about $1,000.

'Active investigation'

Charlottetown Police are investigating the theft and want anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers.

"We do have an active investigation," said Deputy Chief Gary McGuigan. "We are in the process now of collecting video and contacting people in the community where these items may try to be sold."

Balderston believes the theft was planned. Not everything in the truck was taken.

"They would have needed a small U-Haul truck to take it all away," Balderston said. "So it wasn't something that someone stumbled upon and took off with a few boxes. They would have needed the proper transportation."

'Pretty specific stuff'

The theft is not so much a hit to the store's bottom line, Balderson said, but the loss of an investment in the family's future.

Balderston has posted on Facebook about the loss and is asking Islanders to keep their eyes peeled for anyone selling items that might be his.

"It's pretty specific stuff," notes Balderston. "Someone's going to hear or see something."

Police note the publicity will likely make it more difficult for the thieves to sell the stolen goods.

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