Two Men Charged in Burlington Card Shop Break-ins

Burlington Police Arrest Two Men Following Series of Trading Card Shop Break-ins

Two men are now in custody following a month-long investigation into a string of break-ins targeting trading card shops across Burlington, North Carolina. The Burlington Police Department announced the arrests of Vann Hezekiah McDonald Jr. and Fred Edward Smith, both 54, as they face felony charges linked to the burglaries of two local businesses: E&A Cards and Cards at the Cages.

The investigation into the thefts gained traction after an initial break-in on September 24, 2026, at E&A Cards, located at 2557 S. Church St. WRAL reported that police responded to the scene after suspects broke into the shop and made off with multiple items. Just days later, on September 27, 2026, authorities arrested McDonald. He was subsequently charged with felony breaking and entering and felony larceny, according to coverage by abc45.com.

As the investigation continued, detectives linked the pair to a second location. WXII 12 News noted that investigators identified Smith as a second suspect, connecting both men to a break-in at Cards at the Cages, situated at 1023 Boston Drive. Arrest warrants for Smith were officially obtained on November 4, 2026.

The Financial Impact on Local Small Businesses

The toll of these crimes extends beyond the immediate loss of inventory. Business owners previously told WXII 12 News that the incidents resulted in approximately $8,000 in physical damage across both retail locations. For niche businesses that rely on the security of high-value collectibles, such losses represent a significant operational setback.

mugshots of vann hezekiah mcdonald and fred edward smith in front of two surveillance videos of burlington card store — Photo: wxii12.com

The legal consequences for the accused are mounting. McDonald is currently being held at the Johnston County Detention Center on a $40,000 secured bond. Court records cited by WXII 12 News indicate that McDonald faces additional legal challenges in Johnston County, including charges of habitual felon, habitual larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny. Those records also link him to a separate incident involving the theft of 11 box sets of trading cards from a Target store on St. Mark Avenue in Selma.

Meanwhile, Smith remains in custody at the Guilford County Jail, where he is being held without bond. Both men face identical felony charges of breaking and entering and larceny in the Burlington cases.

Public Safety and Ongoing Investigation

The Burlington Police Department continues to process the case as it moves through the court system. In a statement regarding the arrests, the department emphasized its commitment to community safety and encouraged anyone with additional information to reach out to their investigators at (336) 229-3500. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, the Alamance County-Wide Crimestoppers line is available at (336) 229-7100, or through the P3 Tips mobile application.

Two Men Charged in Burlington Card Shop Break-ins — Photo: abc45.com

The rapid growth of the trading card market has occasionally shifted the focus of retail theft, as rare cards can reach high valuations on the secondary market. While the specific inventory taken in the Burlington cases remains under investigation, the legal proceedings will likely clarify the extent of the stolen property as the case moves toward trial.