A Dallas man was recently arrested for allegedly stealing over $1,000 inPokemoncards. The man in question is also alleged to have worked with one other person to steal thePokemoncards and has been charged with multiple crimes including criminal conspiracy.
The popularity ofPokemoncards in recent years is difficult to ignore with many cards being sought by collectors,Pokemon Trading Card Gameplayers, and those looking to sell valuable cards for a profit. With cards often sold in packs or sets, high quantities of cards can be carried in a relatively small space. As such, incidences ofpeople stealingPokemoncardshave been a consistent story with many looking to make a profit from selling cards to stores and collectors, with some ending up behind bars as a result.
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Such is the case for Charles James Pointer, a 31-year-old Dallas man who was recently arrested by the Albany Police Department under suspicion of robbing at least $1,000 inPokemoncards. He is alleged to have worked with one other person to carry out the robbery. Unlike otherrecent incidents ofPokemoncard robberyin which a business was robbed after hours, Pointer and his co-conspirator are alleged to have threatened or used physical force against a victim to carry out the robbery.
According to the Albany Democrat-Herald, Pointer has been accused of second and third-degree robbery, first-degree theft, hindering prosecution as well as two counts of criminal conspiracy. Court documents allege that his role in the robbery was to drop off his co-conspirator and help in “securing or protecting the proceeds of the crime.” He has been appointed a defense attorney and his security has been set at $50,000.
The recent spree of crimes surroundingPokemoncards has only continued to get worse, especially as new lines of cards have been announced based on theupcoming gamesPokemon ScarletandViolet. Similar to how the release of newer consoles led to scalpers aiming to profit off of fans by mass-buying units and selling them at a premium, the continued popularity ofPokemoncards has made them a prime target for those looking to profit by selling to fans and collectors.
This pattern of cards being scalped or stolen has undoubtedly made things more difficult for newplayers of thePokemon Trading Card Game, a game whose history goes back about as far as the franchise’s first video games in 1996. With newPokemongames continuing to release and a growing community of collectors and players, it is unlikely that this will be the last instance of crimes related toPokemoncards.
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