Pokémon bandits steal $300K in cards across two daring heists, including one with an electric saw
Surveillance footage from SportsCard store being robbed of Pokémon cards last Sunday. Obtained by the NY Post
Los Angeles saw a double strike against collectible enthusiasts on Sunday, as thieves made off with $300,000 worth of Pokémon cards and other rare collectibles in two daring robberies.
Security footage obtained by The Post captured five masked men in hoodies using a reciprocating saw to break into Simi Sportscards in Simi Valley at around 3:30 a.m. The thieves smashed glass cases and ignored blaring alarms while stuffing bags with Pokémon and sports cards valued at roughly $50,000, according to store owner Jake Miller.
“They were in and out in three minutes,” Miller said.
This marks the second robbery Miller has faced since opening the store just over two years ago. In April 2025, thieves took about $10,000 in merchandise, but Sunday’s heist targeted nearly the store’s entire collection.
“I have a few cards in the $1,000 range, but this was about volume—they got it all,” Miller said.
Later that evening, at around 10 p.m., another card collector leaving RWT Collective in Sawtelle was ambushed by armed thieves who grabbed a high-value Pokémon haul before fleeing in a nearby car, NBC Los Angeles reported.
It is not yet clear if the two robberies are linked, though Miller suspects they are connected and may involve the same group that has hit four other shops in the area over recent months.
“It’s definitely an organized ring or multiple rings,” he said.
Police have not returned calls regarding the incidents. Miller noted that rising prices for Pokémon and sports cards over the past year may be making them attractive targets, especially since they are relatively easy to resell.
“They can go to a card show and unload them pretty easily, or hold onto them for a few months,” he said.
About Post Author
