Three masked robbers stormed a Manhattan specialty shop Wednesday night, shattering display cases with a hammer and holding customers at gunpoint before escaping with roughly $100,000 in Pokémon merchandise, police and security footage show.
The heist unfolded at Poké Court on 13th Street around 6:48 p.m., according to the NYPD. Surveillance video released by detectives captures the trio-dressed head-to-toe in black-bursting through the door, one suspect immediately swinging a hammer to smash glass cases while another levels a pistol at shoppers.
Robbery Caught on Camera
The footage shows startled customers raising their hands as the armed robber sweeps the barrel across the sales floor. A second thief rummages behind the counter, stuffing boxes of cards into a duffel bag. Employees scramble toward the back of the narrow store while glass shards litter the tile.
- Three male suspects, all in black hoodies and masks
- One wielding a silver framing hammer, one carrying a black handgun
- Store occupied by six customers and two employees at the time
- Entire incident lasts under two minutes
No injuries were reported, the NYPD confirmed.
Merchandise and Cash Taken
While police declined to value the haul, store owner Courtney Chin told News Of Philadelphia the thieves made off with:
- Sealed booster boxes of the latest Pokémon set
- Rare single cards locked in acrylic display cases
- Approximately $2,300 in cash from the register
- The clerk’s iPhone 15 Pro
Detectives say the robbers targeted high-value items, ignoring cheaper plush toys and keychains on adjacent shelves.
Coast-to-Coast Pokémon Crime Wave
The Manhattan stick-up is the latest in a string of Pokémon-related thefts nationwide. On Dec. 2, burglars pried open the roll-up door at LA Sports Cards in Burbank, Calif., and snatched about $100,000 in cards, including first-edition boxes and graded Charizards. Burbank police last week announced four arrests tied to that break-in.
Earlier this month in West Los Angeles, a collector leaving a card shop was ambushed by four men who pistol-whipped him and stole a binder containing a $300,000 Pokémon collection, News Of Philadelphia previously reported.
| Location | Date | Estimated Loss | Arrests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poké Court, Manhattan | Dec. 20 | $100,000 | 0 |
| LA Sports Cards, Burbank | Dec. 2 | $100,000 | 4 |
| West LA card store | Dec. 7 | $300,000 | 0 |
Investigation Ongoing
NYPD Detective Bureau Chief James Essig said the department’s Grand Larceny Task Force is reviewing additional security feeds from nearby bodegas and apartment lobbies. Investigators believe the trio fled westbound on 13th Street before turning north on Sixth Avenue.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.
Key Takeaways
- Three armed robbers hit Poké Court, escaping with $100,000 in cards and cash
- Security footage shows a hammer-wielding thief smashing cases while an accomplice holds customers at gunpoint
- No arrests have been made; police are canvassing Midtown for additional video
