The theft had all the elements of a Batman comic book plot. A wire was left hanging from the ceiling of the storage unit, so Lawrence believes the villain entered through the roof, the Sun-Sentinel reported. The locks were not broken and boxes were shifted around in the unit, the newspaper reported.

Lawrence gave investigators a list of the missing Batman and Detective comic books and posted a list online with the certification numbers and pedigree names so the comic books can be traced.

Lawrence took to social media, pleading with other collectors to keep a watchful eye for anyone trying to sell the stolen comic books, the newspaper reported. Lawrence said the comics are registered with the Certified Guaranty Company, a comic book grading service, WFOR reported.

"I … really need you all to be aware and keep your eyes open," Lawrence wrote online, according to the Sun-Sentinel. "They will probably be offered to some of you sooner than later.

“For me this is a first and on such a high level it’s been devastating. This collection was my nest egg, and I had worked so hard and done without for so long to put this together that it being taken away from me this way has left me in a very bad way.”