Robbery at Manhattan Pokemon Shop
A bold group of three individuals held up a Pokemon store in Manhattan at gunpoint, stealing over $100,000 worth of rare trading cards while a community event was taking place nearby, according to police and store employees.
The robbery, captured on surveillance footage, shows hooded and masked suspects, equipped with anime-themed backpacks, forcing their way into the Poké Court on West 13th Street in the Meatpacking District around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday. At that time, about 40 people were in attendance.
Video footage revealed the crew, one of whom was armed, using hammers to smash the glass protecting the displays inside the relatively new store. It had only opened its doors in early November.
Authorities reported that the trio threatened staff and customers, ultimately stealing over $116,000 in Pokemon cards, $1,000 in cash, and a cell phone from a 27-year-old woman.
Images shared on the store’s Instagram story indicated that the stolen cards included rare ones dating back to 1999, featuring well-known characters like Treecko, Charizard, Pikachu, and Ho-Oh.
Founder Courtney Chin addressed the situation, saying, “Everyone here is safe.” In a video posted online, she shared a photo of the damaged display behind her. She emphasized that safety was the top priority, though she described the day as “really bad” and acknowledged the need for cleanup.
A woman known as Alcremie Sunday, a content creator focused on Pokemon lifestyle and games, mentioned she was leading a “top loader decoration event” when the robbery occurred. Feeling devastated, she expressed her frustration in an emotional Instagram video, saying it’s disheartening for something like this to happen in a place dedicated to the wholesome hobby of Pokemon card arts and crafts.
Chin conveyed gratitude for the safety of everyone present during the robbery, which coincided with the store’s inaugural community event. She highlighted the aim of making the shop a safe space for the local community.
The store, which had recently welcomed customers for community engagements, plans to reopen on Thursday afternoon after addressing the aftermath of the crime.
As of Thursday, no arrests have been made, and the suspects remain at large.
