Two people were arrested in San Francisco and booked into the Juvenile Justice Center on robbery and conspiracy charges after an alleged Pokémon card scam turned violent, ending in pepper spray and theft. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
A Pokémon card meet-up in San Francisco was supposed to be quick—sell the cards, get paid, move on. Instead, the buyer allegedly pretended to pay, sprayed the seller with pepper spray, and ran off with the trading cards.
Two people have since been arrested and booked into the Juvenile Justice Center on robbery and conspiracy charges after investigators say they carried out the assault and theft.
San Francisco Police Department says the incident began on May 28. when a male met with a potential buyer to sell Pokémon trading cards. During the meetup, police say the buyer examined the cards, then feigned payment. The buyer then allegedly sprayed the seller with pepper spray and fled with the cards. The suspect reportedly got into a nearby car with two other suspects.
The next day, May 29, an investigation was launched with the Real Time Investigation Center. Officers were able to locate the car and watched as the occupants got out on a nearby street. Citywide plainclothes officers maintained surveillance, identified the occupants as suspects in the robbery, and then moved in.
SFPD said members assigned to the Citywide Plainclothes team “maintained surveillance and identified the occupants as suspects in the robbery,” adding that officers “formulated a plan and safely took the suspects into custody.”
After the arrests, officers searched the car and gathered evidence. SFPD also searched the suspect’s home and seized additional evidence.
Police emphasized that while arrests have been made, the investigation is ongoing.
The robbery happened in San Francisco. but investigators and local business owners say trading cards have increasingly become targets far beyond the Bay Area. The Times reported in January that trading card owners had been hit by several violent thefts. including cases where people were held at gunpoint. burglarized. or physically harmed.
Taylor Minatogawa, owner of Buddies Collectibles, said security for Pokémon cards needs to be stepped up. “Right now, there’s more security needed for Pokémon cards than diamonds,” Minatogawa said. “It’s getting crazy.”
As police continue working the case, the alleged pepper spray attack has left one clear picture for anyone trying to sell valuable collectibles: what looks like a routine transaction can turn dangerous within seconds.
San Francisco Pokémon cards robbery Juvenile Justice Center pepper spray investigation ongoing trading card theft Buddies Collectibles