A Michigan man was sentenced on Friday, May 2, 2025, to the 10½ to 25 years in state prison for his role in the violent robbery of the Comic Collection bookstore in Lower Southampton Township in September 2022.

Caleb James-Lorenze Simpson, 36, of Clarklake, Michigan, entered a guilty plea in March to charges of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and aggravated assault.

Simpson's sentencing follows the guilty plea and sentencing of his co-defendant, Zackery Maximus Tucker, 23, of Quincy, Michigan, who was sentenced on March 14, 2025, by Common Pleas Judge Stephen A. Corr to five to 12 years in state prison for his role in the same robbery. Tucker was also ordered to have no contact with the victim or his family and the Comic Collection store and to pay restitution of $20,029.88.

In addition to the state prison sentence, Simpson also received a concurrent term of 20 years of probation.

During the sentencing, Judge Corr emphasized the importance of community protection while addressing Simpson. The Judge noted the deliberate nature of Simpson's actions, stating that he traveled from his community in Michigan to Bucks County specifically to commit the crime. Judge Corr further stressed that Simpson had multiple opportunities to halt, rethink, or abandon his plan but chose to proceed with the violent robbery.

At Tucker’s sentencing in March, the owner of the Comic Collection Store, located at 83 Bustleton Pike, Feasterville, David Schwartz, shared a statement detailing the profound impact of the attack on his life and his sense of security. Schwartz, who had owned the store since 1985, described the brutal robbery on September 18, 2022, where he was violently assaulted and tied up by Simpson and Tucker.

Evidence presented by First Assistant District Attorney Edward M. Louka included store surveillance footage showing the two masked men, later identified as Simpson and Tucker, entering the store. The footage captured Simpson knocking Schwartz off a ladder, followed by both men beating and zip-tying him. Simpson was also shown punching the victim with brass knuckles and threatening him with a knife.

The robbers stole a laptop, the victim’s keys, cash, comic books, Pokémon cards, action figures, and other store merchandise. Schwartz suffered significant injuries, including numerous contusions, lacerations, broken teeth, and broken ribs.

An investigation by the Lower Southampton Township Police Department, led by Detective Remo DiLello, with assistance from the Adrian Township Police Department in Michigan and Pennsylvania State Police, ultimately linked Simpson and Tucker to the crime through recovered merchandise, clothing, and DNA testing.

First Assistant District Attorney Edward M. Louka prosecuted the case.

Media Contact: Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215.348.6298, mgamiz@buckscounty.org.