Thieves Make Off With $116K in Rare Pokémon Cards from NYC Store

Three masked assailants invaded a newly opened Pokémon store, snatching over $100,000 in collectibles including rare cards, cash, and a mobile phone, according to reports from employees and law enforcement.

As reported by Fox5NY, The Poke Court, which specializes in Pokémon collectibles, opened in New York's Meatpacking District in November 2025. While hosting its first arts and crafts community event on January 14, the store was targeted by these armed thieves around 6:45 PM ET, armed with hammers and a handgun.

Surveillance footage captured the armed suspects as they threatened approximately 40 customers inside the store, shattering display cases to obtain the valuable cards. The robbers made off with cards ranging from 1999 to 2016, including famous characters like Charizard, Ho-Oh, Pikachu, and Treecko, with a total value exceeding $116,000. They also stole $1,000 in cash and a phone from a 27-year-old.

The entire incident unfolded in less than three minutes. Following the robbery, an employee secured the door and alerted the police.

“They blocked the door and pointed guns at customers, ordering everyone to stay back,” a witness recounted. “They smashed everything with a hammer and took items, not allowing anyone to leave.”

“I’m relieved that no one was hurt,” the witness added. “It’s terrifying to see guns pointed at friends and community members.”

Founder and owner Courtney Chin said this was a devastating event not only for the store but for the community. She emphasized that a few bad individuals should not overshadow the joy of Pokémon card collecting, and is now implementing stricter security measures.

“We want our store to be a safe haven for the community,” Chin noted. “It’s unfortunate that so many people had to experience such violence.”

Gaming content creator Alcremie Sundae, who helped host the event that night, expressed her heartbreak in a video shared online, highlighting the impact of this crime on their community-oriented efforts.

The investigation is ongoing, with local authorities still seeking the three suspects.

This incident is part of a worrying trend of robberies at Pokémon collectible stores globally, with similar heists reported in Southern California earlier this month, where over $300,000 in merchandise was stolen, and another significant theft in LA last December totaling more than $100,000 in cards and collectibles.