Superman Thief Arrested; Collection 95% Recovered [UPDATED]

You can run, but you can't hide! (Image via Wikipedia)

Wonderful news today! Via Comics Alliance:

There’s been an outpour of support for Superman fan Mike Meyer these past few weeks after the 48-year-old mentally disabled man from Granite City, Ill. fan was robbed of a substantial portion of his massive collection of Superman comics and memorabilia after being tricked by an acquaintance he welcomed into his home. According to KMOV supporters can begin to breathe a sigh of relief, however, as the process for truth, justice and the American way seems to be moving forward with the arrest of suspected thief Gerry Arville Armbruster and the recovery of Meyer’s stolen items.

Lots more details in the link and the original KMOV story. (Is anyone else disturbed that KMOV is reporting the victim’s address? Won’t this just encourage another robbery?!)

This was posted on the Facebook page yesterday:

It appears that 95 percent of the items are back, including the vast majority of his beloved Superman and Action Comics collection and at least most of his Superman figures and other collectibles. A set of toy John Deere tractors – gifts from a relative – apparently are still missing, as are a handful of his older comics. Needless to say, he is thrilled. More information will be coming soon.

And:

Just got back from Granite City and a long visit with Mike and his dogs Krypto and Dyno. I am not sure what he was expecting, but when I started carrying in boxes of cards and packages from throughout the U.S. and Australia, it was pretty clear that was NOT what he was expecting. He opened every package carefully, taking time to read the addresses, any enclosed notes and then admiring each item …one by one. “Ohhh,” he said time and again, “this was one of the things I had stolen,” or “this is something I always wanted but never had.” At one point he sat back and remarked, “It is so wonderful that people would think of me. I am not a celebrity.” There were very few duplicates and those were mainly comics. I am exhausted tonight, but will post some pics tomorrow. This is truly a beautiful thing — a light in a world that sometimes seems pretty dark.

Let’s keep an eye out for a list of whatever’s still missing – let’s all see if we can do anything more for Meyer!

UPDATE:  Via Bleeding Cool, St. Louis Today is reporting,

Jon Bogdanove, an artist who was under contract with DC Comics through most of the 90s and worked on its Man of Steel comic book, sent a personal drawing and some of his recent work.

Bogdanove said he was inspired by the bevy of support shown by the comic book collectors groups and wanted to do his part as well. He said the common motivation of everyone involved seems to reflect Superman’s message in the comic books and movies.

“I think as kids, that’s the kind of lesson we get from Superman,” he said. “Superman is really about doing whatever you can to help.”

Too bad the thief didn’t get that message! From the same article:

As for his Superman collection, Meyer now has close to double what he had lost. Smith has about 40 more items ready to be delivered, and dozens more have been promised. Meyer said he wants to take the donations and give them to charity, possibly delivering them to a children’s hospital.

“People were generous to me; this is how I can be generous in return,” he said.

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• “GD” Superman Retailer Wants Grant Morrison’s, DC’s Attention (alldaycomics.com)
• Superman Thief Arrested; Collection 95% Recovered [UPDATED] (alldaycomics.com)
• Follow Up of the Day: Suspect Charged in Superman Collection Theft (geeks.thedailywh.at)