Ray Buffer pleads guilty to caught-on-tape comic book heist

Actor Ray Buffer admitted in court Thursday to swiping comic books from a San Diego business that caught the brazen theft on tape and then shamed him over social media.

Buffer’s case came to a close months after Southern California Comics blasted out footage that showed him concealing comics underneath his shirt before scooting out.

The actor has had minor roles in numerous hit shows, including “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “CSI: Miami” during his career.

He pleaded guilty in San Diego Superior Court to one count of misdemeanor petty theft for stealing $854 worth of comic books on Oct. 4, 2022, a spokesperson for the San Diego City Attorney’s Office told The Post Thursday.

Buffer, 55, must pay back Southern California Comics the value stolen and stay away from the store, the city attorney’s office said.

He was sentenced to one day in custody, where he will report to jail to be booked and released, and serve one year of probation.

He must also serve 12 hours of community service and take an anti-theft course.

Jamie Newbold, the owner of Southern California Comics, told The Post he was happy to see the case behind him.


Buffer pleaded guilty Thursday.
Buffer pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing $854 worth of comics from Southern California Comics on Oct. 4.
Southern California Comics/Facebook

“This man stressed me out, stressed out my employees, we remained stressed out,” Newbold said. “Fearful, looking at customers differently wondering who was gonna hurt us next and now that stress is taken off my shoulders because at least we got a win and we know we can find justice even if we have to do it ourselves.”

The business blasted out images in October of an unidentified man on social media to warn comic book stores about the possible thief. Other businesses then claimed the man was Buffer, Newbold said then.


The actor has appeared in hit TV shows in minor roles.
The actor has appeared in hit TV shows in minor roles.
therealraybuffer/Instagram

He was charged months after the Oct. 4 incident.

Buffer’s Instagram account posted a caption stating “Taking care of business in San Diego” with three professional photos of himself in a collage Thursday evening.

He’s had other minor roles in single episodes of “Gilmore Girls,” “Cold Case,” and “ER,” according to his IMDb page.