Pokémon theft in Florida: man with chainsaw steals $12,000 in cards
Intelligence Summary
- A bizarre Florida burglary sees a man use a chainsaw to steal $12,000 in Pokémon cards.
Pokémon theft in Florida: man with chainsaw steals $12,000 in cards
In a bizarre theft in Florida, a man used a chainsaw to rob a Pokémon card shop. Clayton Warren was arrested on May 26, 2026, after being accused of burglary and grand theft. The theft took place at the Collection Realm store in Lake Park, where $12,000 worth of Pokémon cards was stolen.
The theft
According to the store owner, who alerted the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to the situation, the break-in happened overnight. Security camera footage shows Warren using a battery-powered chainsaw to cut a triangular opening into a hurricane-resistant window. These kinds of brazen thefts have been on the rise in recent years, especially with the growing popularity of Pokémon cards and the resulting scarcity in the market.
The owner estimated that among the items taken were graded cards and bulk cards. One especially striking detail is that the suspect may have been injured during the break-in, as blood was found at the scene. Warren’s license plate was also captured by the cameras, allowing police to arrest him later that same day.
Arrest and charges
Warren was charged with theft of property valued at more than $10,000 but less than $20,000. He was charged with burglary and grand theft, and after his arrest he was released on a $20,000 bond the following day.
The arrest came amid a growing trend of Pokémon cards increasingly becoming targets for theft. This highlights the rising value of these collectibles, which have grown far beyond their early days as a game. Fans and collectors are regularly faced with the risk of having their valuable cards stolen.
Significant impact
The theft has not only caused financial damage to Collection Realm, but it also has consequences for the wider collector community. Stores may need to take extra security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The increased attention on Pokémon cards has not only driven demand, but also a corresponding rise in crime around these items. This has shaken retailers and collectors alike, underscoring the need to protect against such incidents.
Timeline
May 26, 2026: Clayton Warren is arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, for burglary and grand theft of $12,000 worth of Pokémon cards.
May 22, 2026: The owner of Collection Realm reports the theft to authorities after reviewing security footage.
Earlier in May 2026: Warren is seen in the store, suggesting he may have scoped it out before carrying out the break-in.
The theft of Pokémon cards and the shocking details of Warren’s methods highlight the new reality for collectors and store owners in the Pokémon community. It’s clear that the market for these cards is not only growing, but also being threatened by increasingly inventive thieves.
