Armed Robbers Target Manhattan Pokémon Card Shop in Brazen Heist
Three armed men stormed a Manhattan card shop on Wednesday evening, making off with rare Pokémon cards and cash valued at over $100,000. The brazen robbery occurred at Poké Court, a newly opened store on West 13th Street, stunning the local trading card community and raising alarms about rising thefts of collectible items.
Violent Robbery During Community Event
The robbery unfolded around 6:45 pm local time while approximately 50 people were inside Poké Court for a community arts-and-crafts workshop. Store owner Courtney Chin described how three men entered the shop, with one immediately pulling out a gun and pointing it at customers and staff. Another suspect pulled a curtain across the front entrance to prevent anyone from leaving.
Security footage captured two of the men using a hammer to smash a locked display case containing the store's most valuable items. They systematically grabbed high-value Pokémon cards and sealed packs, stuffing them into backpacks before fleeing. The entire incident lasted just three minutes, though fortunately no one was injured.
"They started systemically taking the items that had really large price tags, really high values," Chin told reporters. Among the stolen items was a first-edition Charizard card worth approximately $15,000. Products inside the smashed case ranged in price from $400 to $18,000 according to store partnerships manager Peter Du.
Growing Trend of Trading Card Thefts
This Manhattan robbery represents the latest in a disturbing series of Pokémon card thefts across the United States. Earlier this month, thieves stole at least $300,000 worth of Pokémon cards from a California shop. In July, a Massachusetts store lost more than $100,000 in rare cards. Recent incidents in Los Angeles include a Burbank burglary involving around $100,000 in merchandise and a separate robbery where a customer's $300,000 Pokémon collection was taken.
Experts attribute this surge in thefts to the rising monetary value of trading cards. Corey Williams, an assistant professor of economics at Shippensburg University, noted that the pandemic fueled renewed interest in Pokémon collecting, with some investors treating rare cards as low-cost investments. "The weaponisation of monetary value has made such items increasingly attractive targets for criminals," Williams explained.
Community Response and Security Concerns
The robbery occurred during Poké Court's first community event since opening in November, shocking owner Courtney Chin. "It's a beautiful place. It's a community space, and we obviously want to keep it safe and bright and cozy and welcoming," she said, expressing dismay that her store was targeted on such a night.
The following day brought a heightened police presence outside the shop, with broken glass still visible from the smashed display case. Supporters of the store sent snacks and supplies, a gesture that content creator Keem Kim described as reflecting the true spirit of the Pokémon community.
Store managers across the trading card industry are now rethinking security measures in response to these thefts. Many shops are considering:
- Limiting displays of high-value cards
- Moving to appointment-only visits for serious collectors
- Increasing surveillance and security personnel
- Implementing more secure storage for valuable items
Ongoing Investigation
New York Police Department investigators continue to examine security footage and pursue leads. No arrests have been made so far. The robbers, dressed in black clothing, also took an unknown amount of cash from the register and stole a phone from a 27-year-old woman during their three-minute spree.
As police work to solve this case, the familiar Pokémon slogan "Gotta catch 'em all" has taken on an unfortunate new meaning. This time, it's law enforcement rather than collectors who face pressure to catch all those responsible and return the stolen cards to their rightful place.
