Dispute Over Line-Cutting Erupts in California
Soaring Prices and Theft Amid Pokemon Card Craze in the U.S.
In California, a dispute over cutting in line among people gathered to purchase 'Pokemon' animation cards escalated into a violent assault. The altercation ultimately led to a stabbing, resulting in two arrests and one person being hospitalized with serious injuries.
The New York Post reported on the incident that occurred at a GameStop store in California on the 8th (local time).
The incident began when a crowd gathered after hearing news that Pokemon trading cards would be restocked. Among those waiting in line, a 49-year-old man tried to cut in, which sparked a confrontation.
He raised his voice at the man who tried to stop him, saying, "I already apologized and did everything I needed to do." Another man who was with him attempted to push the victim. The enraged victim then charged at the man who cut in line and struck the face of his companion, causing the situation to escalate rapidly into violence.
According to witnesses, there were children nearby, but the three men ignored them and began exchanging punches, eventually falling to the ground in a brawl. During the struggle, the man who tried to cut in line struck the victim on the head with a glass bottle, breaking it. Another man then used a shard of the broken bottle to stab the victim multiple times.
The two suspects fled the scene in separate vehicles, but thanks to the victim taking photos of the license plates and the vehicles, they were quickly apprehended by police.
Recently in the United States, the popularity of Pokemon cards has soared, causing their value to skyrocket. In particular, the prices of rare cards have surged online. As card supplies have dwindled, there have been incidents where people fight over new releases or even break into stores to steal cards.
Back in March, two men got into a brawl in front of a vending machine installed at a large store in San Francisco as they fought to claim the machine, and were eventually restrained by police who were called to the scene.
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