A quiet morning in Woodland Hills turned chaotic when thieves broke into two local businesses at dawn, stealing a haul of valuable sports and Pokémon cards.
The Heist
The break-in occurred around 5 a.m. at the corner of an outdoor mall right off the 101 Freeway and Mulholland Drive, a location that was quiet and unsuspecting.
The perpetrators first damaged the wall of Medoncino Farms, creating a hole that allowed them to slip into the adjacent card store, Cards & Coffee.
Inside the card shop, the thieves moved swiftly through the display areas, targeting the most coveted items before making their escape.
Among the stolen merchandise were Pokémon cards and sports memorabilia, including trading cards featuring Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan, all of which are highly sought after by collectors.
The owner of Cards & Coffee estimates that the thieves took $30,000 worth of trading cards, a figure that reflects the high value of the missing items.
He also expressed uncertainty about whether his insurance policy would cover the losses, a concern that adds to the distress caused by the theft.
In a statement, the owner said, “I am unsure if insurance will cover the losses,” highlighting the financial impact of the crime.
The Los Angeles Police Department is actively searching for the suspects, but no arrests have been made as of the latest update.
The Impact
The incident follows a similar break-in last week in Burbank, where thieves stole nearly $100,000 worth of Pokémon and sports cards from another shop.
The Burbank shop’s owner reported that the burglars entered and exited within minutes, and they discovered rare Kobe Bryant and Cristiano Ronaldo trading cards among the stolen goods.
Kit Nguyen, the owner of LA Sports Cards, added that “They started with the Pokémon side,” indicating the thieves’ initial focus on those items.
He also noted that two people were seen combing through where the collectibles are located, showing a methodical approach to the theft.
The Burbank theft was executed with speed, as the burglars were “in and out within minutes,” a detail that underscores the efficiency of the crime.
Both incidents involved rare and high-value cards, such as the Kobe Bryant and Cristiano Ronaldo trading cards, which significantly increased the monetary loss.
The Investigation
The Medoncino Farms location, which neighbors the card shop, played a key role in the thieves’ entry, as the hole in its wall provided the path into the store.
The corner of the outdoor mall, situated just off the 101 Freeway and Mulholland Drive, was the site of the initial breach, a location that is usually quiet during the early morning hours.
The break-in took place around 5 a.m., a time when most businesses in the area are closed, allowing the thieves to operate with minimal interference.
The owner of Cards & Coffee has stated that he is unsure if insurance will cover the losses, a statement that reflects the uncertainty surrounding the financial recovery.
He also mentioned the damage caused by the thieves, describing the hole in the wall and the missing items as a significant setback for his business.
The theft itself is described by the owner as a loss of $30,000 worth of trading cards, a figure that underscores the seriousness of the crime.
The investigation is ongoing, with the Los Angeles Police Department continuing to search for the suspects, but no arrests have yet been announced.
Key Takeaways
- Two Woodland Hills businesses suffered substantial losses in a short period of time.
- The stolen items included rare and high-value Pokémon and sports cards.
- The Los Angeles Police Department has not yet made an arrest.
The impact of the theft on the local community is evident, as two separate businesses have suffered substantial losses in a short period of time. As the investigation continues, the community watches closely, hoping for a swift resolution that will bring the thieves to justice and restore confidence in local businesses.
Hi, I’m Ethan R. Coleman, a dedicated journalist and content creator at newsoflosangeles.com — your trusted source for the latest news, insights, and stories from Los Angeles and beyond.
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