Thief Steals $50K Pokémon Cards Sterling Heights Shop

A recent surge in smash-and-grab robberies targeting valuable Pokémon cards has hit Metro Detroit, with family-owned hobby shops like First Edition Finds in Sterling Heights suffering significant losses. Thieves are specifically targeting rare, vintage, and professionally graded cards worth thousands of dollars, as evidenced by a break-in at First Edition Finds where approximately $50,000 worth of such cards were stolen. The store's owner, Jonathan Gappy, expressed the deep personal and financial impact of the theft, noting that many cards were part of his personal collection shared with his daughter. Surveillance footage shows the thief deliberately selecting the most expensive items, highlighting the calculated nature of these crimes. This incident is part of a wider pattern affecting various stores in the region, reflecting the rising popularity and high value of Pokémon cards among collectors and thieves alike. Gappy is offering a $15,000 reward for tips leading to the suspect's capture and warns other hobby shop owners to remain vigilant.