In a rare feel-good twist to a growing trend of Pokémon card thefts, a valuable Pokémon TCG card has been successfully returned to its rightful owner after being stolen. The card in question? A Charizard card worth up to £30,000 (approximately $39,000 USD). Fortunately for the owner, the police were able to track down the thief quickly thanks to their attempts to sell the card online.
Theft of rare Pokémon TCG cards has unfortunately become more common in recent years. With some cards fetching thousands of dollars, criminals have targeted collectors, businesses, and even storefronts, often making it difficult for owners to recover stolen goods. However, this case in Heathfield, East Sussex, UK, shows that justice can prevail.
Source: Gamerant
The card was stolen sometime between September 2-5, but police discovered it being sold on Facebook shortly after. The sale was traced to a nearby town about 12 miles away from the card’s original owner. After tracking down the seller—a 23-year-old man—the police confiscated the card and returned it to its owner. The thief, who admitted to stealing the card, received a caution (a formal warning) rather than facing criminal charges, though the exact reasoning behind this decision remains unclear. It could be due to the card’s value or the owner’s choice not to press charges, or even the thief’s clean record.
Unfortunately, not all theft stories have such a happy ending. In the past, warehouses full of Pokémon TCG cards have been targeted by thieves, and the lack of serial numbers or other identification methods makes it hard for collectors to know if the cards they buy are stolen. While purchasing from licensed retailers can help avoid such issues, it also means dealing with the inflated prices of randomized packs and singles.
To protect their valuable collections, Pokémon TCG owners are advised to store cards securely, preferably under lock and key, and to avoid publicly advertising their possessions online, where it could attract unwanted attention. While the recovery of this Charizard card is a win for the owner, it’s a reminder that theft is still a serious concern for collectors in the world of Pokémon trading cards.
