Trading Card Shop in Gloucester Raided: Thieves Steal $40,000 Worth of Pokémon Cards
Thieves were caught on CCTV raiding a trading card shop in Gloucester, stealing nearly a thousand Pokémon cards valued at $40,000. The burglars used a crowbar to break into Full Fire TCG, causing significant damage to the shop. The owner, Ben Powell, was shocked and panicked by the break-in, as the stolen cards, including Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering, are highly collectible and range in value from a few pounds to thousands of pounds. The incident occurred in the early hours of February 21, with the burglars wearing balaclavas and clearing out the shop's cabinets.
Upon discovering the break-in, Ben Powell contacted Gloucestershire Police and arrived at the shop to find it ransacked. He expressed sadness over the significant financial loss and the impact it would have on his business. Despite the burglary, Ben vowed to continue trading but decided not to stock expensive card games in the shop moving forward. The incident has left him worried about the possibility of a repeat occurrence and has changed how the shop operates to enhance security measures.
The theft of trading cards, particularly Pokémon cards, has become a lucrative target for criminals, with other incidents reported across the country. Ben highlighted the vulnerability of card shops, likening them to jewelry shops due to the high value of the cards. He emphasized the need for justice and for the police to take such crimes seriously to deter future incidents. Full Fire TCG, which opened in December 2024, employs one person and relies on a volunteer to operate the business. Despite reporting the burglary to the police, Ben expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation and urged for the perpetrators to be caught.
Gloucestershire Police confirmed that they are investigating the burglary at Full Fire TCG, where three masked men forcibly entered the shop and stole trading cards worth over £10,000. The incident took place between midnight and 8 am on February 21 at Gloucester Docks. Scenes of crime officers attended the scene, and the police have been in contact with the victim to discuss the next steps in the investigation. The authorities are working to apprehend the suspects and bring them to justice to prevent similar crimes in the future.