Armed Trio Steal $12K in Anime Cards

Collectible cards have become a major cash cow in recent years. Trading cards have been around for over 100 years, but the 10 highest recorded card sales have all occurred within the last five years

Pete Levin, a deep-pocketed venture capitalist, predicted on Wednesday that Pokémon cards would become the global currency during an apocalypse, noting that their returns have beaten the S&P 500 by over 3,000 percent.

“I’m absolutely convinced that if the world suffered an apocalypse tomorrow, the following day the global currency would be Pokémon cards,” he told the Hollywood Reporter in an interview about trading cards.

Apparently, some people aren’t waiting around until doomsday to get their hands on valuable anime cards.

Earlier this week, a trio of gunmen attacked three people and stole $12,000 worth of Naruto cards during a home invasion in Queens, officials stated.

The armed suspects entered the residence on Wednesday through a balcony door. They remain at large.

When a 30-year-old tried to prevent the heist, one of the gunmen pistol-whipped him in the face, police stated.

The Manga-card snatchers also allegedly threw two women to the ground during the assault. Officials stated that they also stole one of the victim’s cell phones.

Ultimately, the armed thieves stole 60 Naruto cards worth roughly $12,000.

Brothers Burglarize Multiple Card Shops

The massive theft in Queens was not the only anime card-related heist this year.

A pair of brothers from the UK were arrested in July for a string of burglaries at local card shops.

Keith and Shane Johnson, both from Birmingham, stole £71,000 (nearly $95,000) worth of Pokémon cardsacross multiple card shop break-ins.

The pair of burglars broke into Celestial Collectables in Warrington in April. After smashing the glass entry door with a crowbar, they made off with nearly $84,000 worth of Pokémon cards.

The trading card-obsessed brothers also burglarized The Graded Gallery in Rugby before being arrested.

Keith Johnson, 33, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on July 2. The Pokémon-crazed thief pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary with intent to steal at an earlier hearing.

He was sentenced to 29 months in prison. His brother, Shane, faced the same charges.