> At a Glance
> – Two card-shop burglaries netted roughly $550,000 in Pokémon cards within one day
> – Armed robbers seized $500,000 in cards from RWT Collective employees leaving for the night
> – A chainsaw-wielding crew smashed Simi Sportscards, stealing $50,000 in merchandise
> – Why it matters: Police say the timing and high-dollar targets suggest the crimes are linked, raising fears of a regional theft ring
Two high-dollar Pokémon-card burglaries-one at gunpoint and one with a chainsaw-struck 24 hours apart across Los Angeles and Simi Valley, and detectives now suspect the same crew is behind both.
The Hold-Up in Los Angeles
Late-night employees at RWT Collective were confronted in the parking lot by two men, one brandishing a handgun, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The robbers forced open the trunk of an employee’s car and fled with a single case of cards valued at approximately $500,000.
The Smash-and-Grab in Simi Valley
Around 3 a.m. the next day, Simi Valley officers responded to an alarm at Simi Sportscards on Erringer Road. The owner told News Of Los Angeles that intruders used a chainsaw to breach the shop, shattered display cases, and escaped with at least $50,000 in collectible cards.
Key similarities detectives are tracking:
- Rapid, targeted strikes on specialty card retailers
- High-value Pokémon inventory taken
- Crimes committed within a single day
| Location | Method | Estimated Loss |
|---|---|---|
| RWT Collective, LA | Armed robbery | $500,000 |
| Simi Sportscards, Simi Valley | Break-in with chainsaw | $50,000 |
Investigation Status
The LAPD confirms both departments are sharing evidence to determine whether the same suspects committed both thefts. No arrests have been announced, and detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements.
Key Takeaways
- $550,000 in Pokémon cards stolen in two separate burglaries just one day apart
- One robbery involved a firearm; the other involved a chainsaw
- Police are actively investigating a link between the two crimes
As collectors’ markets soar, authorities warn card-store owners to upgrade security and vary closing routines while the search for the thieves continues.
