"It Was Worth Over $100,000, But Stolen in 30 Seconds": What the Hammer-Wielding Thief Took

Rare Pokemon Card Worth Over 100 Million KRW Stolen in the US
Thief Breaks Store Door with Hammer and Commits Crime in Just 30 Seconds

A rare and vintage Pokemon card box set worth over $100,000 (approximately 137 million KRW) was stolen in Massachusetts, USA.

On July 14, Yonhap News reported, citing the New York Times (NYT), that high-value Pokemon cards, including a "Shadowless Charizard First Edition," were stolen from a store in New Bedford, Massachusetts, that sells Pokemon items and sports trading cards. William Gilmore, who operates the store, announced the theft by posting CCTV footage from inside the store and photos of the missing Pokemon cards on his social media that day.

Pokemon cards stolen from a store in Massachusetts, USA. Facebook of 1st Edition Collectibles

According to the footage, the thief broke into the store with a hammer around 3 a.m. on July 10, immediately ran to the display case, put Pokemon cards and other items into a bag, and quickly fled. The time the thief spent inside the store was about 30 seconds. The stolen items included a Shadowless Charizard First Edition card graded BGS 8.5, and a Shadowless Blastoise First Edition card graded BGS 7.5. Charizard and Blastoise are the final evolution forms of the iconic Pokemon characters Charmander and Squirtle, respectively. Gilmore claimed that the value of the stolen cards and vintage card box set ranges from $100,000 to $113,000.

Pokemon cards, which feature various characters from the popular Japanese anime Pokemon, are among the most sought-after trading items among collectors worldwide, including in the United States. Their value is determined by factors such as collector preference and card rarity. As a result, on days when highly popular Pokemon trading cards are restocked, there are often "open runs" and even fights among buyers. On July 9, a violent altercation involving weapons broke out among men waiting to buy Pokemon cards at a game store in the United States. The cause of the fight was one man cutting in line. In January, a physical altercation also occurred among customers trying to purchase cards at a Costco store in Los Angeles (LA).