By Emily Johnson | Jun 15, 2026
The 39-second incident was caught on security footage from the Brentwood, California-based store while one of the store's managers had briefly stepped away from the counter. No suspects have been identified or taken into custody by local police at this time. Store Owner's Response Store owner Ronnie Hackett, who was the victim of the robbery, spoke publicly about the incident, saying he was relieved the store's manager wasn't in the room at the time, as he was worried about the employee's safety if they were there.
Video from the incident showed some of the stolen items, including a Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection and several Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Boxes. After the burglary, the store announced it would temporarily close to install upgraded security systems. A Rising Trend of Pokémon TCG Thefts. This incident is one of many in a wider trend of thefts targeting Pokémon TCG retailers as demand from collectors surges for the game.
This isn't the only store to report similar robberies recently; even a Pokémon TCG shop owned by NFL legend Tom Brady was robbed by thieves back in November 2025. There has also been a huge increase in resellers that will buy up stock from major retailers like Walmart and Costco to sell online at inflated prices. The resale frenzy has even spread to Pokémon products outside of the trading card game, with limited edition snack items being scalped at well above their original retail price. Why Pokémon cards are such a big target.
The Pokémon TCG is experiencing a major renaissance in today's age, with sets such as 151, Prismatic Evolutions, and Ascended Heroes taking the lead in popularity. Some individual cards have sold for huge amounts on the secondary market, including special illustration and alternate art versions from such sets as Evolving Skies and Ascended Heroes. This increasing demand and value have made physical card shops more attractive targets for organized theft. Up Next for the Pokémon TCG: Despite the setback, the rest of the Pokémon TCG is still releasing new cards.
The next big expansion, Pitch Black, is slated for release on July 17, and a card with Mega Darkrai is expected to be a major draw. The Pokémon Company also revealed information about an upcoming 30th anniversary celebration set, which will introduce a new Futuristic rarity and reprints of some of the franchise's most iconic cards, giving fans plenty to look forward to throughout the brand's milestone year.
