Shop Owner Describes Feeling Unsafe After Burglary

The proprietor of a trading card shop expressed that his establishment has transformed into a place that is no longer secure for him following a significant theft that resulted in the loss of £100,000 worth of inventory and cash.

Collectors Corner, located in Culley Court, Orton Southgate, Peterborough, was invaded on January 27 by an intruder who spent roughly 25 minutes breaking through a quadruple-glazed window before looting the store.

Juliano Scibelli, the owner, revealed that upon his return to the shop to resume operations on Wednesday, he found the ordeal to be emotionally taxing.

“I wasn’t ready to come back,” he admitted. “I’ve experienced considerable mental strain. Being back in the shop now triggers anxiety for me.”

At 34 years old, Scibelli launched his online trading card venture nearly fifteen years ago and has recently established a physical location that attracted enthusiasts from all over the country.

He noted that the thief was observed loading bags with valuable trading cards, with individual pieces valued between £2,000 and £5,000, as well as sealed boxes priced as high as £4,000 each.

Additionally, approximately £8,000 in cash was stolen from the cash register.

Scibelli also mentioned that the initial images of the break-in, which were shared with him by neighbors, were so shocking that he doubted their authenticity.

“I genuinely thought they were generated by AI,” he remarked. “It’s heartbreaking to witness everything you’ve built being taken away in just thirty minutes.”

Scibelli founded Collectors Corner out of his deep-seated passion for trading cards.

What he initially envisioned as a modest enterprise quickly turned into a booming business, with eager customers lined up from far and wide to enter the shop.

“There was an immense feeling of accomplishment,” he reflected.

However, the emotional burden stemming from the burglary has nearly led him to consider abandoning his aspirations.

“I felt devastated. I questioned the purpose of continuing. I feared this would happen again, but after speaking with others, I realized I cannot allow this individual to sabotage my dream,” he explained.

Furthermore, he mentioned that exorbitant insurance rates and repair expenses have added to his stress.

“My shop is now a space where I no longer feel safe,” he stated. “I scrutinize everyone who enters. I’m wary of anyone and everyone. I feel paranoid, and that’s not how I ever wanted to perceive my customers.”

Despite this setback, Scibelli has been deeply moved by the support he has received from the local community, which has included cards, donations, and a flood of encouraging messages in recent days.

“It helps ease the pain… but it’s still a significant challenge to face,” he acknowledged.

He has previously voiced his frustration regarding what he perceives as a lack of urgency in addressing crimes against trading card businesses, advocating for these incidents to be taken more seriously.

“If this had been a jeweler, it would have made headlines,” he pointed out. “There’s a misconception that it’s merely ‘cardboard,’ but many of these cards are worth more than vehicles or even homes, and that importance needs recognition,” he asserted.

Cambridgeshire Police have stated that their investigation is ongoing and are encouraging anyone with information about the burglary to come forward.