Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A trading card shop in Anaheim, California called Duy’s Collectibles was the latest victim in a string of burglaries targeting businesses that sell valuable collectibles, including Pokémon cards. Security camera footage shows a group of three masked men breaking into a neighboring business and then using a sledgehammer to create a hole in the drywall to access the card shop, where they quickly stole hundreds of Pokémon cards worth an estimated $180,000 before fleeing the scene.

Why it matters

The burglary at Duy’s Collectibles highlights the growing problem of targeted thefts at small businesses that sell high-value collectible items. Pokémon cards in particular have seen a surge in popularity and value in recent years, making card shops prime targets for organized criminal groups. This incident raises concerns about the safety and security of small businesses that deal in these types of valuable goods.

The details

According to the security footage, the burglars first broke into a neighboring business, an insurance company, but did not take anything from there. They then used a sledgehammer to create a hole in the drywall separating the two businesses in order to access Duy’s Collectibles. Once inside, the three masked men quickly gathered hundreds of Pokémon cards, focusing on smaller single cards that can add up in value. The entire burglary took less than two minutes, with the thieves escaping in a dark-colored older model Honda.

The burglary occurred at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
What they’re saying

“When I heard the notification on my phone my heart was pounding. As soon as I see the alarm, I click on it on the footage. The live footage shows someone coming through the hole right there.”

— Duy Pham, Owner, Duy’s Collectibles (nbclosangeles.com)

“In this business, we have a target on our backs where we cannot sleep well at night. Sooner or later we’re going to get a break-in. I feel we work very hard just to build this small community as a hobby that we love. It’s very sad when something like that happened.”

— Duy Pham, Owner, Duy’s Collectibles (nbclosangeles.com)

What’s next

Anaheim police investigators said they are working several leads in the case and hope to identify and apprehend the suspects soon.

The takeaway

This burglary highlights the vulnerability of small businesses that deal in high-value collectibles like Pokémon cards, as they can become targets for organized criminal groups. It underscores the need for enhanced security measures and collaboration between law enforcement and the collecting community to prevent such incidents from occurring.