A Pokémon trading card store in Manhattan, New York, was the target of a rather unusual armed robbery. Three masked and armed individuals attacked the store and escaped with loot estimated at over $100.000The burglary occurred last Thursday in the late afternoon in the neighborhood of Meatpacking District, while the shop was hosting several customers and employees.
A violent attack in front of the customers
Surveillance videos show the suspects, dressed in black and armed, using a hammer to smash the display windows. They forced employees and customers to retreat before grabbing boxes containing rare cards and other valuables, including a small amount of cash and a mobile phone. The attack was swift but traumatic for witnesses.
The shop, known for hosting Pokémon card events, had approximately 40 attendees at the time of the robbery. No injuries were reported, but the owner expressed concern, emphasizing that her store needed to remain a safe place for collectors and enthusiasts.
Rare cards worth several thousand euros each
The stolen cards represent a treasure trove for collectors, with some individual pieces worth thousands of dollars. The loss of these rare items impacts not only the store but also the collecting community, where the value of the cards continues to rise.
This isn't the first time such a theft has occurred. Earlier this month, approximately $300.000 worth of cards were stolen in another armed robbery in California. In 2024, the Pokémon franchise generated $12 billion in licensing revenue, surpassing toy giant Mattel.
