Dual Pokemon Card Heists See Over $300,000 Of Rare Collectibles Stolen

"Trading card store Simi Sportscards in the Simi Valley was the target of a break-in early Sunday morning, KTLA reports, with CCTV footage showing a group of at least five thieves smashing display cases to steal the cards inside. Store owner Jake Miller says the group stole rare sports trading cards and valuable Pokémon TCG cards after sawing through the front door."

"A second theft occurred on Sunday night shortly before 10pm, NBC reports, with police saying the two may be connected. The target of the second theft was a regular of card shop RWT Collective in Sawtelle, who was tailed and held up at gunpoint in the underground carpark. The group of thieves stole a briefcase from the collector containing cards valued around $300,000."

Two separate Southern California incidents resulted in over $300,000 in rare cards stolen, including a break-in at Simi Sportscards and an armed briefcase robbery. Thieves sawed through a front door and CCTV shows at least five suspects smashing display cases to steal sports and valuable Pokémon TCG cards. The store owner estimates over $50,000 in damages, lost merchandise, and security upgrades. A collector from RWT Collective was tailed and held at gunpoint in an underground carpark, losing a briefcase of cards valued around $300,000. The LAPD is investigating potential links. Similar thefts and arrests have occurred in Burbank, New Jersey, the UK, and Japan.

Read at GameSpot