Annabelle Stephenson
KELLER, Texas — A Keller toy and gift store fell victim to a daring burglary when two thieves made off with a large collection of rare Pokémon cards. The incident, which was captured on the store’s security cameras, occurred at Griff’s Gifts on Monday, Aug. 12, at approximately 7 a.m.
Video footage shows the burglars forcefully breaking through the glass front door using a patio chair from a neighboring restaurant. While one of the thieves remained outside as a lookout, the other quickly navigated through the store to the glass display cases located at the rear. Using force, he managed to pry open the case doors and hastily filled a duffel bag with the valuable cards.
Rebecca Griffin, one of the store owners, expressed her dismay at the violation. “It’s just a violation of our store and our not being there,” she said in an interview with WFAA. Griffin was alerted to the break-in through the store’s security system, which sent a notification to her phone. She watched in real-time as the thieves made their escape, carrying with them approximately $2,000 worth of Pokémon cards.
The damages incurred during the burglary were extensive. In addition to the stolen cards, the break-in caused the front door and display cases to be broken, resulting in approximately $2,000 in replacement costs. The thieves made a swift getaway in a black Lexus sedan with black rims and a damaged front bumper. Authorities believe that the license plates on the car were stolen.
Trading cards, especially those of high value, have become popular targets for thieves. The pandemic has caused a surge in demand for collector’s items, with many adults rediscovering their childhood hobbies. In a similar incident last month, nearly $2 million worth of baseball cards were stolen from a kiosk at the Dallas Card Show in Allen.
Despite the setback, Griff’s Gifts has restocked their display cases with less expensive Pokémon cards. The store owners, Rebecca and Sean Griffin, have been heartened by the support from their young customers. Some children have even offered to donate their own collections to help replenish the stolen cards.
The investigation into the burglary is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The Griffins are hopeful that someone will recognize the thieves from the surveillance footage, leading to a swift resolution and the recovery of the stolen Pokémon cards.
Additional Facts:
1. Pokémon cards are collectible trading cards that feature various creatures and characters from the Pokémon franchise.
2. Rare Pokémon cards can be quite valuable and sought after by collectors.
3. The burglary took place at Griff’s Gifts, a toy and gift store located in Keller, Texas.
4. The incident occurred on Monday, August 12, at approximately 7 a.m.
5. The burglars used a patio chair from a neighboring restaurant to forcefully break through the glass front door of the store.
6. One of the thieves acted as a lookout while the other quickly made their way to the glass display cases at the rear of the store.
7. The thief pried open the case doors and filled a duffel bag with the stolen Pokémon cards.
8. The store owner, Rebecca Griffin, was alerted to the break-in through the store’s security system, which sent a notification to her phone.
9. The thieves escaped in a black Lexus sedan with black rims and a damaged front bumper. It is believed that the license plates on the car were stolen.
10. The total value of the stolen Pokémon cards was approximately $2,000.
11. The burglary caused extensive damage to the front door and display cases, resulting in replacement costs of approximately $2,000.
12. Trading cards, including Pokémon cards, have become popular targets for thieves due to their high value.
13. The pandemic has led to increased demand for collector’s items, as many adults have rediscovered their childhood hobbies.
14. In a similar incident last month, nearly $2 million worth of baseball cards were stolen from a kiosk at the Dallas Card Show in Allen.
Key Questions and Answers:
1. When did the burglary take place and at which store?
The burglary took place at Griff’s Gifts in Keller, Texas on Monday, August 12, at approximately 7 a.m.
2. How did the thieves gain entry into the store?
The thieves forcefully broke through the glass front door using a patio chair from a neighboring restaurant.
3. How did the store owner learn about the break-in?
The store owner, Rebecca Griffin, was alerted to the break-in through the store’s security system, which sent a notification to her phone.
4. What was the value of the stolen Pokémon cards?
The value of the stolen Pokémon cards was approximately $2,000.
5. How did the thieves make their escape?
The thieves made their escape in a black Lexus sedan with black rims and a damaged front bumper. It is believed that the license plates on the car were stolen.
Key Challenges or Controversies:
1. The investigation into the burglary is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Advantages of the Situation:
1. The support from young customers, who have offered to donate their own collections to help replenish the stolen cards, has brought some comfort to the store owners.
2. The incident has raised awareness about the security of valuable collectibles and the need for increased precautions.
Disadvantages of the Situation:
1. The store incurred extensive damages, with replacement costs for the front door and display cases amounting to approximately $2,000.
2. The stolen Pokémon cards, valued at approximately $2,000, have not been recovered.
Suggested Related Link:
Pokémon Trading Card Game Official Website
