This previous weekend has seen a brand new spate of Pokémon TCG-related crimes, with over $300,000 value of uncommon playing cards stolen in two seperate incidents in Southern California. In a single, thieves broke right into a buying and selling card retailer and smashed show circumstances, whereas a second incident noticed a collector held up at gunpoint for a briefcase of uncommon playing cards.
Buying and selling card retailer Simi Sportscards within the Simi Valley was the goal of a break-in early Sunday morning, KTLA reports, with CCTV footage exhibiting a gaggle of not less than 5 thieves smashing show circumstances to steal the playing cards inside. Retailer proprietor Jake Miller says the group stole uncommon sports activities buying and selling playing cards and precious Pokémon TCG playing cards after sawing via the entrance door. He estimates the break-in will value the shop over $50,000 in repairs, misplaced merchandise, and safety upgrades.
A second theft occurred on Sunday evening shortly earlier than 10pm, NBC reports, with police saying the 2 could also be linked. The goal of the second theft was an everyday of card store RWT Collective in Sawtelle, who was tailed and held up at gunpoint within the underground carpark. The group of thieves stole a briefcase from the collector containing playing cards valued round $300,000.
The LAPD is presently investigating the incidents, together with on the lookout for any connection between the 2.
The Pokémon TCG’s surge in reputation prior to now few years has additionally led to a surge of crime associated to the dear playing cards. Solely a month in the past, a trio of thieves made off with round $100,000 value of playing cards from a retailer in Burbank, California, in a heist that additionally concerned each sports activities playing cards and Pokemon playing cards.
Exterior of California, a USPS worker in New Jersey pled responsible to stealing over $100,000 value of precious memorabilia that included Pokemon playing cards, whereas a person within the UK was caught with a trove of stolen playing cards value over $300,000. In Japan, there have even been studies that the Japanese mob are utilizing uncommon playing cards to launder cash.