Thief Steals $50K in Pokémon Cards from Michigan Collectibles Store

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A small card shop in Sterling Heights, Michigan, is reeling after a break-in that resulted in the theft of around $50,000 worth of rare Pokémon cards. The burglary, which happened shortly after midnight, was caught on surveillance cameras at First Edition Finds, a family-run collectibles store.

Jonathan Gappy, owner of First Edition Finds, said the suspect appeared to have inside knowledge of the store’s layout and inventory. The shop has only been open for two months and specializes in collectible cards, particularly rare and professionally graded Pokémon cards.

“It was honestly something we were never expecting,” Gappy told reporters, still visibly shaken from the ordeal.

According to Gappy, the suspect didn’t just grab random items but instead went straight for the most valuable merchandise, including several cards graded in perfect condition by professional grading companies. These high-grade collectibles are highly prized in the trading card community, making the theft especially devastating for the newly opened business.

“He went specifically for the most expensive items and then made a B-line to our most expensive items behind the shelf, so he’s definitely been in the store and definitely knew what he was after and what he was looking for,” Gappy explained.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday. The break-in triggered an alert to Gappy’s phone through the store’s security system. He immediately checked the live camera feed and was stunned to see the suspect already inside.

“So, we pulled up the cameras and we actively saw the burglar inside taking things and vandalizing the store,” Gappy said.

By the time officers from the Sterling Heights Police Department arrived, the suspect had already fled. Investigators continue to review the security camera footage to identify and locate the responsible individual.

“These were the most expensive items in the store. A lot of them were graded cards, so they were in perfect condition,” Gappy said. “They weren’t just a loose card that somebody had in a binder. They are cards that went out to a company that graded and made sure that card was a 10 out of 10 perfect.”

For Gappy, the theft wasn’t just a financial hit but a deeply personal one. Many of the stolen cards were collected with his daughter, including some pulled together during Christmas celebrations.

“These were cards that I accumulated and that my daughter and me had pulled together, like certain graded cards that we ripped open on Christmas,” he shared.

In hopes of finding the suspect, Gappy is now offering a $15,000 cash reward for any information that leads to an arrest. He’s also urging other hobby shop owners to be on high alert, emphasizing the need for strong security and customer awareness.

“All I can say is try to lock everything up that you can. Just be aware of the people and the customers inside your store because it’s definitely scary what’s going on right now,” Gappy warned.

The Sterling Heights Police Department is urging anyone with information about the break-in or the suspect seen in the surveillance footage to come forward. Tips can be submitted directly to the department.

Despite the emotional and financial impact, Jonathan Gappy says he’s determined to keep First Edition Finds open and continue pursuing his lifelong passion for collecting.