Ever since the prices of Pokémon TCG cards started soaring to ridiculous prices during the COVID-19 pandemic, rare Pokémon cards have become even more sought-after items among collectors, investors, and unfortunately – thieves. Japan has seen a number of trading card shop robberies and thefts related to Pokémon cards in recent years, with damages amounting to millions of yen. However, in a bizarre civil war-like twist, the owners of a Pokémon card shop were recently arrested for robbing another Pokémon card shop – in their very own neighborhood.
On July 9, Japanese police arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of robbery (as reported by Sanspo). The man is accused of threatening the owner of a trading card shop with a knife and stealing 123 items, worth roughly $94,000 dollars, including cash and Pokémon cards. He is the third person to be arrested in relation to the same case, with two of his accomplices being detained previously.
While the police did not disclose further details of the case, over on X, the defrauded owner of the trading card shop revealed that the recently arrested third suspect is actually the manager of another Pokémon and One Piece-focused trading card shop. To make things worse, the two shops are apparently in the same neighborhood.
According to the post, there were other individuals involved in the robbery that haven’t been caught yet, which is why the owner decided to go public on X, hoping for tip-offs. However, the post went viral on X as people took in the horror of Pokémon card retailers turning on each other. The biggest problem thieves have with stolen valuables is finding a way to sell them without being traced – but owning a shop that sells the thing you stole definitely makes this bit easier. Let’s hope no one else gets inspired by this case.
Related article: Pokémon cards are so valuable that criminals are using them to launder dirty money, Japanese media reports
