A Pokémon card burglary spree came to an unexpected end after one mistake.
The Pokémon trading card boom has created a thriving collectors' market, but it has also attracted criminals. In England, two brothers pleaded guilty after targeting specialist trading card stores in a burglary spree that caused almost $95,000 in stolen goods and damage.
According to Cheshire Police, the pair targeted stores that sold Pokémon cards and other collectibles.
Their escape fell apart
The first burglary took place on April 8 at Celestial Collectables in Warrington. Using a crowbar, the brothers forced their way into the shop and stole Pokémon cards worth around £62,000. They also caused more than £3,000 in damage by smashing display cabinets.
The brothers planned the burglary, but their getaway failed. The van they used had cloned license plates and broke down shortly after the theft. They pushed it down the road before moving the stolen goods into a second car. CCTV footage and vehicle registration records helped police identify the suspects.
Police had already started investigating when the brothers struck again. They targeted The Graded Gallery in Rugby and stole more trading cards and collectibles.
Police recover stolen items
Officers searched the suspects' property and recovered stolen merchandise, clothing, vehicle keys, and other evidence linking the brothers to both burglaries. Keith Johnson and Shane Johnson pleaded guilty after police confronted them with the evidence.
Keith Johnson received a 29-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of burglary. Shane Johnson also pleaded guilty and will be sentenced later this month.
Pokémon cards now sell for thousands of dollars in some cases, making specialist card shops attractive targets for organized theft. Collectors and store owners continue to invest in stronger security to protect their collections.
