CASTLE HILLS, Texas – The Castle Hills Police Department reported on Tuesday that four male suspects are being sought in connection with a break-in at The PokeHive, a trading card store located on the North Side of the city. The incident, which occurred over the weekend, resulted in the theft of merchandise valued at over $100,000.
Police were alerted to the scene around 3:25 a.m. on Saturday after an alarm was triggered at the store. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the front door had been forcibly opened and found shattered display cases that contained valuable Pokémon trading cards.
Cole Blancett, the owner of The PokeHive, stated that the thieves made off with more than $100,000 worth of cards. Despite being aware that robberies of trading card stores are not uncommon, Blancett expressed his shock at this particular incident.
“Trading cards are the most liquid asset other than just stealing cash out of the register,” Blancett explained. “You can go to stores all over town, be able to cash out and move product quickly — usually anonymously.” This highlights the pressing issue of theft in the trading card industry, where valuable items can be quickly sold or traded.
While the break-in did not cause lasting structural damage to the store, it did incur at least $25,000 in repair costs and damaged merchandise, according to Blancett.
Surveillance footage from the store captured dramatic scenes of the suspects quickly entering the premises and loading boxes of Pokémon cards into large buckets. The video also showed individuals using an object to smash open the glass display cases. Following the incident, detectives discovered blood at the scene near the shattered glass, which may provide crucial evidence in the investigation.
As of Tuesday evening, the suspects remain unidentified and at large. However, Blancett is optimistic that law enforcement will apprehend the individuals involved in this brazen theft. “It’s just a matter of time before someone is caught,” he remarked.
The Castle Hills Police Department is actively investigating the incident and encourages anyone with information to reach out to them at 210-342-2341. The community’s assistance could be vital in bringing the suspects to justice.
