Danica Davidson
May 29, 2025 
Two Pokémon-related burglaries have taken place near Detroit, Michigan. Because the thieves have a similar mode of operation, it’s probably the same people behind both crimes. Police are currently investigating.
The first burglary took place at RWI Hobbies in Livonia, Michigan. Two disguised people found a brick in the store’s parking lot, and used it to smash their way in. Once inside the store, they broke open the glass cabinets holding the Pokémon cards. This time they used hammers instead of the brick.
RWI Hobbies owner Pam Willoughby told local news outlet FOX 2 that between $10,000 and $12,000 worth of Pokémon merchandise was taken. She also said that the thieves dropped a pricey Charizard card as they fled the scene of the crime.
RWI Hobbies has been open almost 30 years, and this is the second time they’ve been robbed.
A few days later some people broke into Eternal Games in Warren, Michigan. Because these thieves also broke their way into the Pokémon cards display using hammers, it’s suspected that they’re the same criminals as before.
This time around, they filched an estimated $3,500 worth of Pokémon cards.
Eternal Games’ assistant manager Dakota Olszewski said in an interview with FOX 2, “I don’t think we are going to find the cards specifically, which is a bummer because they’re pretty cool.”
It does appear that insurance will reimburse both businesses for their losses.
FOX 2 encouraged people to contact the police if they have any clues about the identity of the suspects.
While most people turn to Pokémon for fun and games, there have been an increasing number of crimes involving them. Some of the cards go for a lot of money, and once they’re stolen, they can be hard to track. Even members of the Japanese mafia, the yakuza, have allegedly used Pokémon cards to launder money.
Source, image: FOX 2
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
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