Local businesses lose thousands to break-ins

Over the past month, several trading card stores have been burglarized in West Michigan, with the latest taking place in Holland.

Super Hideaway Games has been open for six years, three of which have been in the Netherlands.

The trading card business is more than just childhood nostalgia, it’s collectibles that could be worth thousands of dollars. So that doubled the damage from last Sunday’s burglary for homeowner Aeron Mooneyhan, who has never experienced anything like this past incident.

“Someone came in and threw a rock through the front of the window from one of the rock beds there,” Mooneyhan said. “He walked forward about 15 feet, smashed the door, came in and went through the two suitcases I have here.”

Mooneyhan tells Fox 17 that in total more than 1,000 cards were stolen in the burglary, some sealed cases were even confiscated from us, which could each amount to $150 per box.

Super Hideaway game

“It was about six, seven, eight sealed magic collecting boxes and a few one-pieces,” Mooneyhan said. “That total, with the cards in the case, is about $14,000, because we put a lot of that stuff online.”

So why are these trading cards so valuable? It also depends a lot on the notoriety, exclusivity and condition of the card. Bryan Huisman, owner of Ace’s Sports cards, says the industry is currently on the upswing, which contributes to some of these high prices.

“The markets are buzzing around these cards,” Huisman said. “There’s only a limited number of them, and if he’s a good player, then they can be worth a lot of money. And you can note whether it’s a commodity and a good one market at the moment.”

But Huisman also understands the downsides of the trading card business, with Ace having been robbed twice in the past month.

“The first time they came, they stole over $15,000 with packs, boxes and singles,” Huisman said. “And the second time, not as much, but we had over $20,000 worth of inventory stolen.”

With so many card stores affected in the area, this is starting to raise concerns and questions among those affected.

“We haven’t had an incident like this in two and a half years, and now many local stores are being affected in the same way. It looks like it should be connected. » said Huisman.

Dutch police are unsure if this is the same suspect or group of suspects involved in these and other break-ins in West Michigan.

HPD released photos of a suspicious car in connection with the burglary.

Photo provided by Dutch police of a suspicious car involved in the Super Hideaway games break-in.

Anyone with information that could assist in this investigation is asked to contact the Holland Department of Public Safety at (616) 355-1150 or email investigators at [email protected].

Persons wishing to remain anonymous can contact Silent Observer by calling 1-877-887-4536,

Super Hideaway is still open and operating as the holiday season approaches, the owners hope you’ll keep them in mind throughout this time of year.

“The best way for people to help, especially local businesses and local game stores, is to think of us when you need your next trading card games for your kids, for yourself.” Mooneyhan said.

The store also has a GoFundme page that you can donate to here.

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