FEASTERVILLE, PA – Two Michigan men have entered guilty pleas after being charged with a violent robbery at a Bucks County comic book store over a year ago. Zackery Maximus Tucker, 23, and Caleb James-Lorenze Simpson, 36, admitted to robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and aggravated assault on March 14.
The incident occurred at Comic Collection in the Feasterville section of Lower Southampton Township in September 2022. The two men posed as customers, requesting help from the store owner, David Schwartz, to reach items on a high shelf. They then pushed Schwartz off a ladder, proceeded to beat him, and ziptied him.
Schwartz, owning the store since 1985, described how the attack had a profound impact on him, stripping away his sense of security. Speaking in court before the sentencing, he detailed how the assault had changed his life and that he had never before encountered such violence at his store.
Tucker was sentenced to five to 12 years in state prison, ordered to stay away from Schwartz, his family, and the comic book store, and required to pay restitution. Simpson’s sentencing is scheduled for May 2, 2025.
The brutal robbery left Schwartz with contusions, lacerations, and broken ribs. The suspects stole various items, including cash, comic books, Pokémon cards, and action figures. Investigating officers found clothing worn by the perpetrators and recovered stolen merchandise near the store.
A breakthrough in the case came when a detective received a tip connecting Simpson and Tucker to the robbery. Simpson had been arrested in Michigan weeks after the incident for attempting to steal a firearm. Further evidence from the Pennsylvania State Police crime lab linked Simpson to the Comic Collection robbery, leading to their eventual guilty pleas.
The community was shaken by the violent nature of the crime, highlighting the importance of ensuring the safety and security of local businesses and their owners. The swift action by law enforcement in identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators serves as a reminder of the dedication to holding criminals accountable for their actions.