In a remarkable heist, a thief absconded with rare Pokémon cards valued over $170,000 from 1st Edition Collectibles, a store located in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The incident unfolded last week when the burglar, wearing a mask, was recorded on CCTV breaking in by shattering the glass door and swiftly gathering the prized items.
The store’s co-owner, Filipe Andre, reported that eight first edition Pokémon cards were taken, with a combined worth of $US113,650 (approximately $172,834 AUD). Reflecting on the incident, Andre expressed a deep sense of loss and frustration, stating, “We’d just like our stuff back. Truthfully, it’s four years of hard work, of not taking a paycheck, to get to where we are now.”
He suspects that the robbery may not have been spontaneous, asserting, “In my mind, the way I see it, it was premeditated.” The thief appeared to be well-prepared, knowing precisely which items to target and managing to complete the theft in a mere 20 seconds. Andre revealed that the burglar had even cut a lock behind the property before smashing the back door to gain entry, as the store lacks a front street entrance.
In a heartfelt plea, Andre requested the thief return the stolen cards “no questions asked,” indicating his preference to recover the valuable collection without further consequences. He concluded by suggesting that if the cards were returned, they could simply move on from the incident. The store’s staff and indeed the Pokémon community are left hoping for a swift resolution to this worrying theft.