Burglary at Los Angeles Card Store Results in $300,000 Loss of Pokémon and One Piece Cards

On Sunday at about 3 a.m., the alarm at RWT Collective, a specialty card shop on West Olympic Boulevard in Los Angeles, sounded. Manager Ebrahim Alas arrived to find the front window shattered and display cases broken. Surveillance video captured three masked, gloved men entering and leaving before Alas reached the store. Approximately $300,000 in merchandise—including unopened Pokémon card boxes and One Piece manga cards—was taken. The incident was captured by the store’s internal security system, providing clear visual evidence of the perpetrators.

NBC Los Angeles

The burglary follows an armed robbery at the same shop in January, during which a customer’s personal Pokémon collection was stolen after the assailants confronted him with a handgun while he headed to an underground garage. The repeat incident underscores the vulnerability of niche collectible retailers in Los Angeles. The earlier robbery left the shop owner with significant losses and heightened concerns about future security.

NBC Los Angeles

RWT Collective is managed by Ebrahim Alas. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) filed a burglary report, and NBC4 Investigates obtained the statements and video.

NBC Los Angeles

• January: Armed robbery; customer’s Pokémon collection stolen; handgun used.

NBC Los Angeles

• Sunday ~3 a.m.: Alarm triggered; front window shattered; thieves break display cases.

NBC Los Angeles

• Minutes later: Manager arrives; reviews video showing three masked, gloved men.

NBC Los Angeles

• Afterward: LAPD files burglary report; no arrests reported.

NBC Los Angeles

The stolen merchandise is valued at roughly $300,000 and includes unopened Pokémon card boxes and One Piece manga cards. Video shows three masked, gloved intruders. The alarm sounded at about 3 a.m. The theft represents one of the largest card-related burglaries reported in Los Angeles this year.

NBC Los Angeles

Manager Ebrahim Alas told NBC4 Investigates that the alarm sounded at about 3 a.m., the front window was broken, and the thieves left before he arrived; he said the video confirmed three masked, gloved individuals. The LAPD informed NBC4 Investigates that officers have filed a burglary report and are investigating, though no arrests have been made.

NBC Los Angeles

The theft of high-value Pokémon and One Piece cards illustrates the growing monetary importance of collectible trading cards and the associated security risks. Repeated robberies threaten the financial stability of niche retailers like RWT Collective and may limit access to rare items for collectors.

NBC Los Angeles

Sources do not identify the thieves or reveal motives, and the LAPD has not released suspect details. The lack of arrests leaves a gap in accountability, and the exact inventory of stolen items beyond general categories is unspecified.

NBC Los Angeles

The LAPD continues to investigate and urges tips from the public. RWT Collective is expected to review security measures, potentially upgrading alarms and surveillance. Collectors will watch the case for broader implications on the safety of high-value collectible retail.

NBC Los Angeles