Los Angeles-area authorities are probing a wave of thefts targeting collectible Pokémon cards, including an armed robbery on Jan. 4 in West L.A. where a collector lost an estimated $300,000 in rare cards. Separately, thieves in Simi Valley used a chainsaw to break into a shop and stole at least $50,000 in cards. No arrests have been reported; police are investigating whether the incidents are linked and urging collectors to take security precautions.
Collector Robbed at Gunpoint of $300,000 in Pokémon Cards as Surge of LA Thefts Targets Rare Cards
NBCLA/YouTube
Police are warning Pokémon card collectors to be extra cautious after a string of thefts across Los Angeles, including an armed robbery in which a collector was reportedly held at gunpoint and lost an estimated $300,000 worth of rare cards.
The victim had visited the RWT Collective shop in West Los Angeles. According to reports from KTLA, NBC Los Angeles and Fox LA, the robbery occurred the night of Sunday, Jan. 4 when the customer entered an underground parking garage and was confronted by two suspects who had reportedly been inside the store earlier that day.
"He was just leaving, just trying to go home," RWT Collective co-owner Danny Leserman told KTLA about the victim.
Co-owner Christopher Chou and Leserman said the incident has prompted plans to strengthen the shop's security, including installing additional cameras. They said they are working with property management to consider armed guards for the store and the building that houses it.
Related Break-In in Simi Valley
That same weekend, Simi Valley police responded to a separate burglary at a shopping center at about 3 a.m. Investigators told NBC Los Angeles that thieves used a chainsaw to breach a shop, smashed display cases and took valuable cards, with losses reported at a minimum of $50,000.
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating whether the West L.A. parking-garage robbery and the Simi Valley break-in are connected. No arrests have been announced in either case so far. The LAPD and the Simi Valley Police Department did not immediately respond to inquiries from PEOPLE about the incidents.
Why Collectors Are Being Targeted
Leserman told KTLA that most Pokémon cards in circulation are used and not in high enough grade to be collectible. When cards are preserved in collector-grade condition, however, their value can rise dramatically — making them attractive targets for thieves.
Safety Advice for Collectors
Police and shop owners are urging collectors to take precautions to reduce the risk of theft. Recommendations include:
- Use discreet packaging and avoid displaying high-value items in public.
- Conduct high-value transactions in well-lit, monitored locations — for example, inside stores or at police stations.
- Consider specialized insurance policies for particularly valuable cards.
- Enhance personal and shop security with cameras, alarms and, where appropriate, security personnel.
As investigations continue, collectors and retailers across the region are being reminded to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to local police.
Help us improve.
