At a Glance
- Three masked robbers stormed Manhattan’s Poké Court on 13th Street at 6:48 p.m. Wednesday
- One thief aimed a pistol at customers while another smashed display cases with a hammer
- Roughly $100,000 in Pokémon cards and cash stolen; no injuries reported
- Why it matters: High-value Pokémon robberies are surging nationwide, with two similar California heists topping $400,000 in losses this month
Three masked robbers burst into the Poké Court on Manhattan’s 13th Street Wednesday evening, pointing a handgun at customers and using a hammer to shatter display cases before fleeing with roughly $100,000 in Pokémon merchandise and cash, according to New York City police and security footage.
No one was injured during the 6:48 p.m. robbery, the NYPD said.
How the Heist Unfolded
Security video reviewed by detectives shows the trio dressed head-to-toe in black. One robber waves a pistol in the faces of startled shoppers while a second swings a hammer to crack open locked cases. Customers and employees raise their hands as glass shards scatter across the floor.
- Three suspects entered the store
- Firearms were displayed immediately
- Merchandise, cash, and an employee’s cellphone stolen
- No arrests made as of Thursday morning
Store owner Courtney Chin told News Of Losangeles that the thieves made off with approximately $100,000 worth of inventory. Police declined to confirm the exact dollar amount in their official statement.
Growing Pattern of Pokémon Thefts
The Manhattan stick-up is the latest in a string of high-dollar Pokémon card robberies nationwide. California detectives report two major incidents in the past month:
| Date | Location | Stolen Value | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 2 | LA Sports Cards, Burbank | ~$100,000 | Four suspects arrested |
| Early December | West L.A. card store parking lot | ~$300,000 | Robbers at large |
In the Burbank burglary, thieves broke into LA Sports Cards overnight and grabbed sealed Pokémon booster boxes and rare singles valued at roughly $100,000, Burbank police said. Four people were arrested last week in connection with that break-in.
The West Los Angeles heist targeted a collector rather than a store. According to News Of Losangeles, robbers waited outside a card shop and held up a customer leaving with his Pokémon collection. The stolen cards were worth approximately $300,000.
Investigation Status
NYPD detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and asking anyone with information to come forward. The department has not released detailed descriptions of the suspects beyond their all-black clothing.
No arrests have been made in the Manhattan robbery. Police across jurisdictions are comparing notes to determine whether the recent crimes are connected.
Key Takeaways
- Pokémon cards have become high-theft targets, with some collections rivaling jewelry in street value
- Wednesday’s robbery used both intimidation (a pointed gun) and brute force (a hammer) to empty display cases
- Store owners nationwide are upgrading security as single heists now regularly exceed six figures
- Anyone with tips on the Manhattan suspects can contact NYPD Crime Stoppers
