At a Glance
- Three masked robbers stormed 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 merchandise was stolen, the store owner says
- Why it matters: High-value trading-card heists are spreading nationwide, with similar thefts in California topping $400,000
Three armed robbers held up the Poké Court shop in Manhattan on Wednesday evening, brandishing a handgun in customers’ faces and smashing display cases with a hammer before fleeing with about $100,000 in Pokémon cards and cash, according to New York City police and security footage released by News Of Fort Worth.
How the Robbery Unfolded
Surveillance video shows the trio-dressed head-to-toe in black-bursting into the 13th Street store shortly before 7 p.m. One suspect leveled a pistol at patrons, prompting several to raise their hands, while an accomplice used a hammer to shatter locked cases filled with collectibles.
No injuries were reported, the NYPD confirmed.
Employees told investigators the robbers:
- Displayed firearms immediately upon entry
- Stole both merchandise and cash
- Snatched a female worker’s cellphone before exiting
Police have not disclosed the exact dollar loss, but store owner Courtney Chin told NBC New York approximately $100,000 in inventory disappeared.
No Arrests Yet
As of Thursday morning, no suspects have been identified or arrested, police said. Detectives are reviewing additional camera footage and canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses.
Pattern of Pokémon Heists
The Manhattan stick-up is the latest in a string of high-dollar Pokémon card thefts across the country.
Recent California incidents:
| Date | Location | Loss | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 2 | LA Sports Cards, Burbank | ~$100,000 | Four arrests made last week |
| Early December | West Los Angeles | ~$300,000 | Robbers held up a customer leaving a card shop |
Burbank police said thieves broke into LA Sports Cards overnight on December 2 and made off with an estimated $100,000 in Pokémon products. Four suspects have since been arrested.
In West L.A., a collector was confronted outside a card store earlier this month and robbed of a Pokémon collection valued at roughly $300,000, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Key Takeaways
- Manhattan’s Poké Court robbery adds to a growing list of Pokémon card thefts topping half a million dollars nationwide
- Security video clearly shows weapons and faces-clues police hope will lead to quick arrests
- Store owners are now re-evaluating security measures as rare card values soar
Anyone with information on the Manhattan heist is asked to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers.
