Pokemon Cards Stolen in Armed Robbery

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Pokemon Cards Stolen in Armed Robbery

Key Takeaways

  • Thieves allegedly stole $70,000 worth of Pokemon cards from an Osaka hobby store.
  • There have been many Pokemon card-related crimes reported in recent years.
  • Pokemon TCG remains popular with fans and collectors.

As a long-time collector and enthusiast of the Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG), I can’t help but feel disheartened by the recent string of thefts targeting our beloved hobby. The latest incident, where thieves allegedly stole over $70,000 worth of cards from a store in Osaka, is just another reminder that the world of rare and valuable Pokemon cards isn’t always as friendly and innocent as it appears on the surface.

On September 9th, a popular hobby shop specializing in the Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) located in Osaka was held up. The staff present during the incident claimed that the robbers bound them and demanded specific Pokemon TCG cards. It’s said that these thieves were not well-versed in the value of the cards, needing to consult with the store employees before making their selections.

Over the past nearly 30 years since the introduction of the Pokemon card game, a growing number of enthusiasts have dedicated both time and finances to amassing and enjoying this game. Throughout its existence, certain cards have significantly appreciated in worth, astonishing many. For instance, the Illustrator Pikachu card was bought by YouTuber Logan Paul for an astounding $5,275,000. It’s hardly surprising that thieves are focusing their efforts on stealing valuable Pokemon cards due to their growing worth.

In Osaka, it’s said that a group of thieves purportedly swiped more than 100 Pokémon cards. The value of these taken cards reached approximately $70,000 in sales or about ten million yen. To add to the trouble, the reported $70,000 was merely the amount stolen from the sale of Pokémon cards. Furthermore, during the robbery, an extra 250,000 yen and several employees’ cell phones were also taken. Regrettably, instances like this, where thieves make off with thousands in value from Pokémon cards, are not unheard of.

There’s a Rise in Pokemon Card-Related Crime

2023 saw an incident in Okinawa where a man tried to swipe 1,500 Pokemon cards. He was eventually apprehended and it was discovered that he was working for a separate entity, which had tasked him with stealing these cards for them in return for payment. Another case surfaced in March of the same year, where thieves made off with $1 million worth of Pokemon-themed collectibles from a California-based hobby store.

Regardless of the Pokemon Trading Card Game (PTCG) being around for close to three decades, it remains as beloved as ever. From enthusiasts rushing to buy the newest booster packs at local card stores to experienced players striving to construct a Pokemon TCG World Champion deck, the game continues to thrive without any signs of waning. Here’s hoping that the perpetrators involved in the Osaka hobby store robbery are caught soon and the shop can recover some of its stolen goods.

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2024-09-12 19:13