A 45-year-old man from California was arrested for hiding overnight in a Best Buy before a Pokémon card release. This incident highlights the ongoing Pokémon card craze, which began in the 1990s and has seen no signs of slowing down.
Some Pokémon cards are now worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, attracting serious collectors and scalpers. With this frenzy, it’s no surprise that fans often clash while queuing for releases. However, this man took a different approach by sneaking into the store instead of waiting in line.
According to NBC, police were called to the scene after employees spotted him on surveillance footage. They arrived at the store and apprehended the man, identified as Patrick Keys, for burglary. Fans outside the store were quite surprised by the events unfolding. One person shared, “I went to the restroom and came back to find the police everywhere!”
While it’s certainly clever to find a way to stay in a store overnight, it’s a risky move. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first instance of theft in the world of Pokémon cards. Recently, in 2022, a group of thieves stole around $180,000 worth of cards by burrowing into a collectibles shop in California.
The Pokémon card market continues to grow. A recent survey showed that nearly 72% of collectors plan to invest more in cards over the next year. This kind of engagement shows just how passionate fans are about their collections. It’s clear that the allure of Pokémon cards can lead to some unexpected (and sometimes alarming) situations.
This phenomenon highlights not just the value of these collectibles but also the lengths people will go to in pursuit of them. As Pokémon fans eagerly await each new release, it’s essential to remember the excitement—and the risks—that come with this thriving subculture.
For more information on the current trends in collectibles, check out this report by CNBC.
