DELAND, Fla. – Gem Mint Cards, a collectible card store located in DeLand, was broken into and burglarized early Monday morning, according to the police department.
The owners shared a three-minute video of surveillance footage on Facebook, showing a masked person shattering the store’s front door and ducking through the broken glass with a large container.
The person is then seen going behind the counter within seconds to steal what appears to be cards on display.
“Most of these shelves contained higher value Pokémon cards,” Gem Mint Cards owner Christen Wybo told News 6. “A lot of them are graded cards so the top rated most expensive cards and then a lot of our cards we used for players who want to build decks.”
Wybo said the stolen cards are worth around $25,000-$30,000.
“A lot of people think right now as money on a shelf but it sucks for everybody in the hobby because this is just something that they love and want to share with people,” Wybo said.
The shop said it appears to be the same individual responsible for multiple thefts at other card shops across Florida.
“Same hoodie, gloves, and tote,” the post reads.
The owners said that the store will be closed on Monday to make repairs and take some time to “regroup.”
“We’re incredibly grateful for the amazing community that’s been built here and for the continued support from every player and patron,” the post continues.
Police told News 6 on Tuesday morning that they weren’t able to locate the suspect, though they clarified that the thief had swiped Pokémon cards from the store.
In all, the loss and damages are estimated at $25,000, police added.
According to News 6 partner WJXT, a similar smash-and-grab burglary was reported at a card shop in Jacksonville, where the burglar grabbed handfuls of Pokémon cards.
Many old and rare Pokémon cards can be worth thousands of dollars, providing plenty of incentive for thieves to try to snag ‘em all.