Grand Theft Labubu as the Plush Toy Craze Turns Criminal in California
Thieves crash into a California shop and steal thousands of dollars worth of sought-after Labubu dolls, leaving the new business reeling.
La Puente, California – In the early hours of August 7, a quiet stretch of Valley Boulevard was jolted awake when a stolen Toyota Tacoma slammed into the storefront of One Stop Sales. Four masked burglars poured out, not to ransack the register or grab high-end electronics, but to take something far more unusual—Labubu dolls.
The mischievous, big-eared plush figures, designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung for Pop Mart, have become a global collectible sensation. A single rare edition can fetch hundreds of dollars on the resale market, and one giant Labubu recently sold at auction for well over $100,000. For thieves, the draw was obvious.
“They took every Labubu we had,” co-owner Joanna Avendano told reporters. “We are still in shock.” The break-in came just days after the store announced a large restock on social media, and Avendano believes the post may have tipped off the burglars. Security footage shows the crew working quickly, sweeping entire shelves of the plush toys into bags before fleeing the scene.
The shop estimates the loss at around $30,000—ten times the initial police valuation of $7,000. For a small business that had only recently opened, the theft was not only a financial blow but an emotional one. “This was supposed to be our chance to grow,” Avendano said. “Now we’re picking up the pieces.”
The Labubu craze, fueled by TikTok trends and limited-edition drops, has created a collector’s market hot enough to inspire thefts far beyond California. In the UK, similar plush toys—like the coveted Jellycats—have been stolen in six-figure heists. For One Stop Sales, the crime is a sobering reminder that in today’s collectibles world, even the softest, fluffiest treasures can attract hard-edged criminals.