SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio game shop is remaining vigilant following three thefts in four months.
Anthony Collazo, Co-Owner of Gamer's Gems off Culebra Road, says recent crime in the Culebra Commons Shopping Center is also prompting the owners to install more security cameras outside.
Collazo says he's losing sleep at night, watching his cameras in the early-morning hours to make sure another thief doesn't target his store.
While some suggested Collazo install security bars to prevent future crime, he's brainstorming ways he can maintain the special community his shop welcomes in every day.
"This is supposed to be a place to relax, have fun, enjoy," Collazo said. "If you have bars on a window, that kind of doesn't create that space."
Gamer's Gems offers a different kind of play space where table-top games come alive.
"We don't do video games. We try and keep people off the electronics," explained Collazo. "We have games like Catan, Zambezi, Magic: The Gathering...Dungeons & Dragons and things of that nature."
Wednesday morning, just before 7 a.m., the shop's front door got smashed in for the third time.
"We've been here three years and nothing happened. Then this year, this is our third time getting hit," said Collazo. "Everytime we get broken into, we look at it and say what else can we do?"
During one of the previous thefts, surveillance video captured a man using a BB gun to shatter the store's front door. While the alarm goes off and police are notified, the criminals escaped before law enforcement arrived all three times.
"They took that little bit of cash that we did keep here. They took the laptops...they took some magic card items," Collazo explained. "I'm sure that if we're getting hit, we're not the only place that's getting hit."
After watching Wednesday's security video, Collazo believes the criminals may have been under the impression that he sold electronic games. From the looks of the video, Collazo says it looks like the thieves weren't sure what to take.
"Game stores don't make that much money," said Collazo. "It definitely is more of a hobby than a side hustle."
The money he and his wife, Lisa, take in supports this gaming community they helped create.
"A place where they feel accepted, where they can be themselves," Collazo said. "I was in the Army...and I know how hard it is when you get into a new community building a new group of friends to be able to enjoy the hobbies you enjoy. We're hoping to create that space."
While he's grateful customers weren't put in danger, he and his wife are still spending money out of pocket for repairs and more security.
To help pay these bills, Gamer's Gems is running a special sale.
"The sale is 'Stop f*@#!ng Robbing Us Sale! 10% off," said Collazo.
If you have any information about who the criminals could be, call police.
To learn more information about the shop, including their miniatures paint night, table top games night and Dungeons & Dragons night, visit their Facebook page.