Help Chuck Rebuild After $130,000 Toy Collection Theft

My name is Chuck Runge. I own Runge Toys Vintage Collectibles and am Dealer #47 at Groovy Ghost Vintage in Orange, California.

I have spent more than 20 years building a collection of nostalgic toys and memorabilia from the 1970s through today. It included Hot Wheels, Barbie, G.I. Joe, military toys, sports memorabilia, trading cards, action figures, and thousands of other collectibles from the 1980s and 1990s.

This collection was more than merchandise. It represented my family’s history, my life savings, and the future inventory for the store I dreamed of opening.

On Monday, I discovered that my storage unit at CubeSmart on Green River Road in Corona had been burglarized. More than 5,000 new-in-box collectibles were stolen from approximately 85 large storage totes. The estimated value of the loss is more than $130,000—and that is on the low end.

The unit appeared to have been searched and restaged. Empty containers were stacked to make it look as though nothing had happened, and the lock was still in place and appeared to work. I am still trying to understand how such a massive collection could have been removed from a gated storage facility with access codes and cameras without being noticed.

Law enforcement has been notified, and I am doing everything possible to gather evidence, preserve surveillance footage, alert the public, and locate the stolen items. Because thousands of recognizable collectibles were taken, I believe they may eventually appear through online marketplaces, swap meets, auctions, collectible stores, or private sales.

More Than a Collection

What began as a family activity became a hobby, a business, and eventually my purpose.

One of the greatest parts of selling vintage collectibles is watching someone’s face light up when they find something from their childhood:

“I used to have that.”

“My mom collected these.”

“I haven’t seen one of these in years.”

Those moments are why I do this. I love helping people reconnect with their memories, supporting local businesses, giving back to the community, and watching children get excited when they finally find the toy they have been searching for.

Thousands of items are gone, but so are thousands of stories and memories. I had invested most of my income into this collection while preparing to open my own store and begin the next chapter of my life. Losing it has placed my family, livelihood, and future plans in an extremely difficult position.

How Your Support Will Help

Funds raised through this campaign will help me:

- Rebuild essential inventory for Runge Toys Vintage Collectibles

- Recover from the immediate financial and business losses

- Pay costs connected with documenting and pursuing the stolen property

- Improve security for the collection going forward

- Continue operating while the theft is investigated

- Restart the dream of opening my own collectibles store

Any amount will make a difference. If you cannot donate, sharing this fundraiser and the information about the stolen collection would mean just as much. Greater public awareness increases the chance that someone will recognize these items and help bring them home.

I never imagined that trusting a storage facility with my family’s belongings could end with everything disappearing. My goal is not only to rebuild, but also to prevent another family or small-business owner from experiencing this kind of loss.

Thank you for reading, donating, sharing, and supporting my family during this heartbreaking time.

—Chuck Runge

Runge Toys Vintage Collectibles

Dealer #47 at Groovy Ghost Vintage

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