WYOMISSING, Pa. — Authorities said a man distracted mall employees in Berks County while another man stole an $8,000 playing card.
Richard Figueroa, 43, is charged with retail theft and driving while his operating privileges were suspended or revoked, according to court paperwork.
The ultra-rare, mint-condition PSA 10 Sabo Manga Alt Art Red card was stolen from the Berkshire Mall around 4 p.m. on Aug. 28, authorities said in court documents.
Store security footage showed two men speaking before they walked away from one another, police said.
A man in a black T-shirt, later identified as Figueroa, walked to the register and began talking with store employees, police said. Police said his conversation distracted employees while another man took the card.
The man who took the card left the store with a younger man while Figueroa continued talking with employees, court paperwork said.
Mall security footage showed the man who took the card and the other man leaving the mall together, authorities said.
In an interview with police, Figueroa said he drove himself and the two others to the Berkshire Mall. He told police he was a trading-card enthusiast who often goes to card shops to buy and sell cards, authorities said in court documents.
Figueroa told police he drove everyone from the mall after the theft.
Figueroa is in Berks County Prison after being unable to post bail and faces a preliminary hearing Oct. 19.
Court paperwork does not say whether authorities plan to charge the other two men.