The Pokemon CompanyA group of thieves managed to steal Pokemon and sports cards worth $100,000 from a store in California, including a signed Cristiano Ronaldo card.
As reported by KTLA5, three masked robbers crowbarred the door open to LA Sports Cards in Burbank on December 2 and used a saw to break through a metal gate. Once inside, security footage captured them loading a variety of cards into bags, in some cases knocking over display cases to break them and get inside.
The entire heist only lasted a matter of minutes, but the burglars escaped with three large bags full of cards, including a signed Ronaldo. However, according to the store’s owner, Kiet Nguyen, Pokemon cards were the main goal.
“The vast majority, they were targeting Pokemon cards,” he said. “They inadvertently took some lock boxes from the back that also had sports cards.”
Pokemon & sports cards worth $100,000 stolen
It’s no secret that Pokemon cards can be extremely valuable, with some of the rarest selling for millions of dollars, and robbies like this one are all too common.
“It seemed like they had it down pat and they knew what they were doing,” he said. “They were targeting liquid assets. Pokemon cards are so easy to sell these days and a sealed product, everybody has it, so it wouldn’t raise any suspicion if someone were to sell something like these products. They’re available everywhere.”
This may not have been a one-off either. KTLA5 reported that “half a dozen” similar robberies have taken place at card stores across Southern California, with police now suspecting that the trio may also be responsible, after one of their faces was partially caught on CCTV.
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The owner of LA Sports Cards added that he hopes the thieves are stopped soon, before another small business is targeted.