Smash and Grab: $30K in Rare Pokémon Cards Stolen from Florida Collectibles Shop

In a bold early-morning attack, a masked thief made off with $25,000 to $30,000 worth of rare Pokémon cards from Gem Mint Cards in DeLand, Florida, in under 75 seconds.

Surveillance footage shows the suspect smashing the front glass door, rushing inside with a large tote, and heading directly to the high-end collectible cases. The entire act unfolded before the store even opened its doors.

According to FOX 35, the suspect appeared to be after high-end Pokémon cards in particular. Several rare pieces were housed in the front display case, including one with a flawless “Gem Mint 10” grade. “That means it’s basically a perfect card in grading and condition,” shop owner Christen Wybo told FOX 35. “It happened to fall forward and was stuck against the glass. It’s one of the few things he didn’t grab.”

This is not an isolated incident. Although it was the first time Gem Mint Cards was targeted, similar smash-and-grab thefts have occurred across the region in recent months, according to News 6. In New Bedford, a thief made off with over $113,000 in graded Pokémon cards in just 30 seconds. Jacksonville police reported a $5,000 card theft, while another case in Belleville involved the loss of $35,000 worth of cards.

“Based on security footage, it appears to be the same individual responsible for multiple thefts at other card shops across Florida. Same hoodie, gloves and tote,” the shop shared in a Facebook post.

While the store believes the cases may be connected, local authorities have yet to confirm any official link, and no arrests have been made.

Wybo remarked, “It’s terrible that the stress of this has to be associated with something that’s supposed to be fun and open to everybody.” Still, she added that the store has been buoyed by an outpouring of support from the Pokémon community following the incident.

From Massachusetts to Florida, a wave of lightning-fast thefts is rattling the collectibles community—especially among shops specializing in Pokémon cards. But why are these colorful cards becoming such a hot target?

In recent years, collectible trading cards have surged in value, with top-condition pieces fetching thousands, and sometimes even tens of thousands, on the resale market. That sort of price tag makes shops like Gem Mint Cards especially vulnerable to thieves looking to make a quick profit.

However, these rare Pokémon cards aren’t just valuable but also easy to move. High-end cards, like a first edition Charizard, can command six-figure sums, and the market is bustling. Criminals are doing their homework, too: scoping out store layouts and display cases ahead of time, then striking in the dead of night.

The smash-and-grab operations are fast and calculated. Thieves stay covered with masks and gloves, then unload the stolen merchandise through anonymous online channels like eBay and Discord, leaving little behind but broken glass.

To safeguard valuable inventory, shops and collectors should consider:

While no security system is foolproof, proactive steps can help minimize losses and increase the chances of recovery. But for stores like Gem Mint Cards—spaces built around joy, nostalgia, and community—the emotional toll can often be just as heavy as the financial damage.

“It’s terrible that the stress of this has to be associated with something that’s supposed to be fun and open to everybody,” Wybo said.

As thieves increasingly target niche collectibles, it’s becoming clear that the industry may need to reassess what protection looks like in a world where these once-overlooked markets are now in the spotlight.

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