WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (TCN) — A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged with burglary and grand theft after he allegedly broke into a store and stole $12,000 worth of Pokémon cards.
On May 21, the owner of collectibles store Collection Realm contacted the authorities to report a burglary, according to WRAL. Security footage allegedly showed the suspect trying to break the store’s window with a rock and then using a chain saw to cut into the hurricane-proof glass. He reportedly left blood at the scene. Once inside the store, the suspect, later identified as Clayton Warren, allegedly took $12,000 worth of merchandise.
WRAL reports the owner, whose name has not been released, had seen the man in his store two days before the burglary. Law enforcement used license plate readers to locate Warren, whose car had been seen on the surveillance footage. A search warrant was executed at the address connected to the car, and Warren was arrested and charged.
According to Kotaku, Pokémon card thefts have grown more common in recent years due to supply shortages and scalping. Polygon reports that Collection Realm kept valuable and expensive cards behind glass cases near the cash register. The store also reportedly stocked several Pokémon boxes that are often sold for quadruple their original value due to high demand.
Kotaku reports Warren was released from jail the following day on a $20,000 surety bond.
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