In just a few minutes, three thieves made off with loot estimated at more than $100,000 from a specialty store in Burbank. Rare Pokémon cards, sealed boxes and collectibles have been targeted with precision.
On December 2, 2025, the LA Sports Cards store, located in Burbank, California, was the scene of a lightning-fast but extremely effective burglary. Three individuals entered the store and left in less than three minutes, taking with them very valuable collectibles, mainly Pokémon cards, as well as rare sports cards featuring Mickey Mantle and Ronaldo.
“Store owner Kiet Nguyen noticed that the thieves seemed to know exactly where to find the most valuable Pokémon cards.” These individuals also stole sealed Pokémon boxes, which would be easy to resell given their growing popularity. Video surveillance images, broadcast by channel KTLA 5, show the speed of execution of the theft and the precision with which the thieves targeted their loot.
An organization behind the burglary
According to the first elements of the investigation, the suspects may not be their first attempt. Local police are raising the possibility that this trio has previously robbed other card stores in Southern California. During a previous theft, one of the thieves was even filmed partially with his face uncovered, which could constitute a valuable lead for the police.
The choice of stolen objects demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the collectible card market. The targets do not seem to be chosen at random: the boxes still in packaging and the most sought-after pieces have a high resale value. “Nguyen clarified that the store is insured and that he will increase its security,” although the incident raises questions about the growing vulnerability of businesses specializing in collectibles.
A criminal phenomenon that crosses borders
This is not the first time that Pokémon cards have found themselves at the heart of criminal cases. “This is not the first time Pokémon cards have been linked to crime. In late 2024, reports emerged that the Japanese mafia was using Pokémon cards to launder money.” As these objects become more valuable, they attract the attention of increasingly organized networks.
Collectors and fans of the franchise are increasingly vigilant in the face of this upsurge in theft. Some specialized forums organize themselves to report stolen cards as soon as they appear online, in the hope of tracing those responsible or preventing resale.
A context of popularity boosted by the new Pokémon games
This burglary comes in a context of strong news for the Pokémon franchise. The game Pokémon Pokopiaexpected on Nintendo Switch 2 on March 5, 2026, is already getting a lot of attention. Between open pre-orders and fan theories on its links with old opuses, enthusiasm for the series does not weaken.
This popularity is a key factor in soaring card prices, making specialty stores particularly vulnerable. If the investigation progresses, this spectacular theft reminds us that Pokémon cards are now much more than a simple hobby: a very lucrative market… and unfortunately targeted by organized crime.