Accused Pokemon card bandits busted in California as thefts surge
There’s been a noticeable uptick in Pokemon card thefts across California, with some alarming incidents recently coming to light. In San Francisco, police apprehended some juvenile suspects who were involved in a robbery where pepper spray was used, showcasing the lengths to which people will go. Then there’s the incident in Brentwood, CA, where masked thieves managed to swipe thousands of dollars’ worth of cards in less than a minute. This prompted the owner to take serious steps toward enhancing security measures—understandably so.
A separate incident in Franklin, Tennessee, happened around 11 p.m. on October 9, involving an armed robbery that was linked to a jewelry listing on Facebook Marketplace. Authorities reported that police pursued three suspects who fled the scene. They managed to catch the trio not long afterward, thanks to a vehicle pursuit.
Those arrested were identified as Ivan Lagos-Espinoza, 22, and Jose Paiz-Godoy, 23, both hailing from Nashville, along with Rubel Rodriguez-Lisa, 19, from Lebanon. They all face multiple charges, including aggravated robbery and felony evading. It’s troubling, really, especially since this robbery took place in a community noted for its wealth—Franklin is often ranked among the wealthiest cities in the country.
As of September 2026, Franklin’s median home sale price had hit around $903,410, and the median listing price was about $1.1 million. And I guess it makes sense that high-value neighborhoods could attract these types of crimes. In fact, the Franklin Police Department has warned online sellers to be cautious, especially when meeting strangers for transactions involving high-value items. They recommend arranging exchanges in public, well-lit places, ideally near others and under surveillance. For pricier items, meeting at a police station is advisable—a sort of safety net, perhaps?
Authorities are also advising sellers to bring someone with them when meeting a buyer and to be careful about how much personal information they share, including details about their homes or schedules. Jewelry and electronics are especially appealing targets for criminals, they noted. If anything feels off, whether it’s about the buyer or the meeting place, it’s better to cancel the deal. It’s all about protecting oneself, after all.
