Gang of Thieves Digs Through Wall to Break Into Pokémon Card Shop in Anaheim, Steals Nearly $200,000

Thieves Dig Through Wall from Adjacent Office to Break Into Card Shop

ANAHEIM, California — A daring group of thieves dug through a wall to break into DOWE Collectibles, a trading card shop located at 1100 North Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim, making off with approximately $180,000 worth of Pokémon cards in a robbery that occurred early Wednesday morning, the Anaheim Police Department confirmed to KTLA.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspects first broke into an office adjacent to the card shop, then used a sledgehammer to smash through the drywall, creating an opening into the store.

Security cameras captured the masked group crawling through the hole in the wall, then using hammers to shatter glass display cases inside the shop. Police stated that the group collected the cards into large black bags before fleeing the scene.

Shop Owner Stunned by Security Camera Footage

Mr. Duy Pham, owner of DOWE Collectibles, said he received a burglary alert on his phone and immediately checked his surveillance cameras.

"I opened the camera and saw people crawling through the hole in the wall. My heart was pounding. I immediately called 911 and rushed to the store," Mr. Pham recounted to KTLA.

Mr. Pham noted that the thieves only targeted the collectible cards, completely ignoring computers or other electronic devices in the store.

"They didn't touch the cameras or computers. They came for the cards," he said.

Pokémon Cards Can Be Worth Up To $10,000 Each

According to Mr. Pham, the value of Pokémon cards has surged in recent years, with many rare cards potentially reaching up to $10,000 each.

"One card can be worth $10,000. People see the money there," Mr. Pham explained, detailing why the card shop became a target for thieves.

He also admitted that the collectible card business inherently carries security risks: "When you're in this business, you always feel like you have a target on your back."

Part of a String of Collectible Card Thefts in Los Angeles Area

The Anaheim incident follows a series of thefts targeting collectible card shops in the Los Angeles area. In January alone, other perpetrators stole approximately $300,000 worth of Pokémon cards and collectibles in two separate incidents.

Currently, no suspects have been arrested in connection with the DOWE Collectibles theft. The Anaheim Police Department stated that detectives are actively pursuing leads, and the investigation is ongoing.