Pokémon TCG thieves carry off $10,000 USD worth of cards from independent shop in Southern California

In the early morning hours of January 2nd, Metro Entertainment, a comics and collectibles store in Santa Barbara, California, was robbed of approximately $10,000 USD worth of Pokémon TCG singles. The still-at-large thieves gained access by destroying the deadbolt on the front door, sparing the shop any large-scale property damage.

Owner Bob Ficarra told local news outlets that each of the singles stolen from cases in the shop were worth between $50 and $500 dollars each. “They knew exactly what they wanted to get,” Ficarra stated, noting that he suspects the thieves had visited the store before. Santa Barbara police are currently investigating, though Ficarra doubts the cards will be recovered.

Metro Entertainment resumed business as usual on Thursday after calling a locksmith in to repair the front door. “We will be open normal hours, but a bit bleary eyed from the 4am wakeup call, and possibly a bit aggravated from the loss,” said Ficarra on the shop’s Facebook page. “But please come in - we need to see some friendly faces!”