Dubuque Man Charged with Stealing Valuable Comic Books

Suspect allegedly stole $2,100 worth of graded comic books from local shop

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A 32-year-old Dubuque man named Dakota Goarcke has been charged with second-degree theft after allegedly stealing seven graded comic books worth around $2,100 from a local collectibles shop last March. Police say Goarcke was identified through surveillance footage, booking photos, and a deputy familiar with him, and a warrant was issued in July before he was served and charged in late January.

Why it matters

The theft of valuable collectibles like rare comic books is an ongoing problem for specialty shops, who must balance security with providing an open, inviting environment for customers. This case highlights the investigative techniques used to identify and apprehend a suspect, as well as the potential legal consequences for such crimes.

The details

According to police, Dakota Goarcke was at Bartertown Toys & Collectables on the afternoon of March 19th and allegedly stole seven graded comic books with a total value of approximately $2,100. Investigators used surveillance footage, Goarcke's driver's license photo, and identification by a county jail deputy familiar with him to positively identify the suspect. The footage also allegedly showed Goarcke getting into a rental vehicle rented by his mother after the theft.

  • On March 19th, Goarcke allegedly stole the comic books from Bartertown Toys & Collectables.
  • A warrant for Goarcke's arrest was issued on July 11th.
  • Goarcke was served the warrant and charged on January 28th.

The players

Dakota Goarcke

A 32-year-old Dubuque man charged with second-degree theft for allegedly stealing $2,100 worth of comic books from a local collectibles shop.

Bartertown Toys & Collectables

The local collectibles shop from which Goarcke allegedly stole the valuable comic books.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on Goarcke's bail status at his upcoming arraignment.

The takeaway

This case underscores the challenges specialty shops face in preventing theft of high-value collectibles, and the importance of effective surveillance, identification, and law enforcement cooperation to apprehend suspects and hold them accountable.