Bandit ‘Caught ’Em All’ in Rare Pokémon Card Heist Worth Over $100,000
A burglar in Massachusetts pulled off a swift and daring raid at a collectibles shop, stealing over $100,000 worth of rare and vintage Pokémon cards.
The theft occurred in the early hours of last Tuesday at 1st Edition Collectible, a specialty store in New Bedford known for its valuable trading cards. Around 2:30 a.m., the thief smashed a glass display case using a hammer, grabbed several high-value Pokémon cards and sealed booster boxes, stuffed them into a bag, and fled the scene — all within 30 seconds, according to William Gilmour, one of the store’s owners.
“They were in and out of our store within 30 seconds,” Gilmour told The New York Times. “They went straight to these high-value items.”
A CCTV image shared by the shop on Facebook shows the masked suspect kneeling in front of the glass case wearing a hooded sweatshirt and facemask, methodically selecting items.
Among the stolen treasures are some of the most coveted cards and boxes in the Pokémon collecting community, including a BGS 8.5 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard, a BGS 8.5 Skyridge Crystal Charizard, and a PSA 9 Gold Star Charizard. The burglar also took a Pokémon Base Set Unlimited Green Wings Booster Box and a Pokémon Neo Revelation Unlimited Booster Box — all extremely rare finds due to their age and scarcity.
Gilmour highlighted just how unusual it is to find sealed boxes from the late 1990s and early 2000s still intact. “They are really rare because how many sealed boxes are still there from 1999 to 2000?” he remarked.
The total value of the stolen items is estimated to be between $100,000 and $113,000, a significant loss for the store and the local collecting community.
As of Sunday, no arrests had been made, and the investigation remains active, said New Bedford Police Department spokeswoman Holly Huntoon.
In a heartfelt post on social media, the shop shared a detailed list and photos of the stolen cards, urging collectors and the public to be on the lookout for them.
“The overwhelming support that we’ve received from you all this week has been amazing and a reminder as to why we love this hobby and the community involved so much,” the store wrote. “Seriously, thank you all for bringing some comfort to us during this crazy time.”
Despite the setback, the store expressed determination to recover and thrive. “This incident was devastating but we will bounce back, grow, and come back better than ever.”
The Pokémon franchise, short for “pocket monsters,” originated in Japan and exploded in popularity during the 1990s worldwide. Collectors cherish the trading cards and sealed booster boxes, which often command high prices in today’s market due to their nostalgic and investment value.
The New Bedford police continue to investigate the crime, appealing to anyone with information about the stolen cards or the suspect to come forward.
