Suspect arrested, charged with felonies in theft of $49,000 in comics from Mile High Comics

He left a trail of blood, which he tried to clean up, in the shop.

Mile High Comics, America's largest comics dealer. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Esteban L. Hernandez

Jun. 19, 2019, 1:44 p.m.

A 39-year-old man is facing felony burglary charges after authorities said he stole 15 comic books worth $49,000 from Mile High Comics last month.

Francisco Ysidro Ruiz was charged on Tuesday with one count of second-degree burglary and one count of theft, according to a release from the Denver District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday. Both counts are felony charges.

According to the arrest affidavit, Ruiz allegedly entered Mile High Comics on Jason Street by force on May 26 and broke the glass display case, cutting himself in the process and leaving a trail of blood he tried to clean up.

Police initially investigated 14 missing comic books valued at $42,000, before learning in June that a 15th comic book valued at $7,000 was also missing.

Several tips generated by a Denver Police Crime Stoppers bulletin helped lead investigators to Ruiz, including from people who said they used to to do business with Ruiz involving comic books.

Ruiz is scheduled to appear in court on June 28.

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