IN THE NEWS

Yahoo News covered the wave of Pokémon card thefts sweeping across the Twin Cities, with masked burglars hitting stores including Punch-Out Gaming in Forest Lake, Iconic Sports Cards in Hudson, DUCK! and Triple Diamond Sports Cards in Eagan, Dumpster Cat Gaming in Minneapolis, and Khang TCG Collectibles in Osseo. The article cites data showing Pokémon card values have risen more than 145% over the past year, turning the collectibles into high-value, liquid targets. Store owners described smash-and-grab burglaries and are increasingly removing high-value inventory at night as a precaution.

Driven by surging resale values, masked thieves have been breaking into gaming stores across the Twin Cities this summer, hitting Punch-Out Gaming in Forest Lake, Iconic Sports Cards in Hudson, DUCK! and Triple Diamond Sports Cards in Eagan, Dumpster Cat Gaming in Minneapolis, and Khang TCG Collectibles in Osseo. Nick Jarman, CEO of the Certified Trading Card Association, told CNN that thieves target the cards because of their compact nature: "The robbers can take a handful of cards, which can represent thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, and literally fit it right in their pocket. The resale is extremely fast. It's high liquidity." Pokémon card values have risen more than 145% over the past year.

Shocking footage captured masked thugs armed with bats brawling in a car park outside a Smyths toy shop in Bermondsey, South London, as crowds queued for Pokémon cards. A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. The incident follows a pattern of escalating violence tied to trading card demand. Nick Jarman, CEO of the Certified Trading Card Association, has noted that Pokémon card thefts have seen "a very large uptick recently," with criminals increasingly recognising the collectibles as "highly valuable, liquid assets."

Over $20,000 in sports cards were stolen from Johnny Ford Sports Cards & Memorabilia in Grand Rapids. Nick Jarman, CEO of the Certified Trading Card Association, stated: "They can take a handful of cards, or even a backpack full of cards in a short period of time, be gone in the wind, and then the next day they could resell them on any of these third party platforms without ever being identified." Jarman added that the issue is causing some store owners to refuse carrying Pokémon cards entirely, which could lead to stores going out of business.

Financial World examined the surge in Pokémon card thefts hitting small retailers across the US, Canada, and England. Nick Jarman, CEO of the Certified Trading Card Association, explained the appeal to thieves: "The robbers can take a handful of cards, which can represent thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, and literally fit it right in their pocket. The resale is extremely fast. It's high liquidity." Cards have risen more than 145% over the past year, with buyers spending $450 million in January alone.

Law Enforcement Today covered the surge in Pokémon card thefts across the globe, citing Nick Jarman, CEO of the Certified Trading Card Association: "The robbers can take a handful of cards, which can represent thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, and literally fit it right in their pocket. The resale is extremely fast. It's high liquidity." The article also noted that card values have shot up over 145% in the past twelve months.

CNN covered the surge in worldwide Pokémon card robberies, with Nick Jarman, CEO of the Certified Trading Card Association, explaining why the cards are prime targets: "The robbers can take a handful of cards, which can represent thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, and literally fit it right in their pocket. The resale is extremely fast. It's high liquidity." Jarman also noted the multi-generational demand driving values ever higher.

Nick Jarman, founder and CEO of the Certified Trading Card Association, spoke with AFP about the growing wave of Pokémon card thefts across the US, UK, Japan, Canada, and Australia. Jarman explained that cards are "high value in a small footprint, demand is broad and consistent, and the resale ecosystem is large," making stolen product easy to move quickly through online marketplaces, card shows, and informal networks.

A feature interview with Nick Jarman, Founder and CEO of the Certified Trading Card Association, discussing the recovery of a stolen Pokémon card after a card show theft in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The story highlights the impact of card thefts on collectors and the community.

A Sun investigation revealed Pokémon cards worth more than £200,000 were stolen in UK raids over just two months. Nick Jarman, CEO of the Certified Trading Card Association, stated that thefts have seen "a very large uptick recently," with criminals recognizing the collectibles as "highly valuable, liquid assets" that are "easy to steal, easy to re-sell and tough to trace."

Dramatic CCTV footage captured a gang breaking through a store wall in Anaheim, California to steal $20,000 in Pokémon cards. The article cited Nick Jarman of the Certified Trading Card Association, who noted the rising wave of Pokémon card burglaries and warned that trading card shops increasingly have "a pretty big target" on their backs.

BBC News investigated the surge in Pokémon card thefts across England, particularly in Nottinghamshire. The report featured Nick Jarman of the Certified Trading Card Association, who explained how the cards function as a "liquid asset" — easily stolen, quickly resold, and difficult to trace — contributing to the growing criminality targeting hobby stores.

The Washington Post covered the rising trend of Pokémon card burglaries, including a raid on a Maryland sports card shop. The piece explored why trading cards have become a prime target for thieves — high value, easy to carry, and simple to resell — a trend the Certified Trading Card Association has been tracking and speaking out about.