‘It’s sickening’: Owners frustrated as more than $100K in Pokémon cards stolen from game stores

ATLANTA (ANF/Gray News) — Game store owners in Georgia are getting frustrated after more than $100,000 worth of Pokémon cards have been stolen from a number of stores across the Atlanta area.

Surveillance video from inside 1Up Games in Calhoun captured one of the thefts, in which someone took off with about $4,000 worth of cards.

The video shows a man wearing a motorcycle helmet smash a glass case and stuff dozens of cards into a duffel bag. Some of the cards stolen were worth as much as $675 individually.

Store owner Omar Ruiz said Pokémon cards are incredibly popular right now and, in some cases, incredibly expensive.

“It’s very hot. Everybody is getting into it,” Ruiz said.

His store is not the only one in metro Atlanta to be hit by thieves.

The owner of Topcard in Duluth said a thief stole more than $50,000 worth of Pokémon cards on Sunday, making it the second time it has happened in two months. The surveillance video captured a scene similar to what happened in Calhoun.

In the video, someone can be seen breaking through the front door, dumping cards into a duffel bag and then leaving. The suspect also appears to be wearing a motorcycle helmet, and an engine can be heard as they flee.

In Suwanee, the owner of Catchback Cards shared photos of a huge mess after someone busted their window and also stole $20,000 to $30,000 worth of Pokémon cards at the beginning of the month.

All three store owners said they just want the madness to stop and to remind people that this is not a game.

“It’s bad enough when any business is getting robbed this time of year. It’s a kick in the gut. After having just a great Black Friday, having to turn around and have this happen. It’s sickening,” 1Up employee Bonnie Scherr said.

It is not clear whether these break-ins are related, but police said they are actively investigating all of the cases.

Anyone with information is asked to call law enforcement.

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