1 Suspect Arrested, Merchandise Recovered After $16,000 Pokémon Card Theft

Authorities in California say one suspect is in custody and a “large” quantity of merchandise was recovered after burglars stole at least $16,000 worth of Pokémon and Magic the Gathering cards.

Into the Retroverse, a gaming and trading card shop in Colton, was broken into on June 12, and a pair of thieves made off with high-value Pokémon and Magic the Gathering trading cards.

On Tuesday, the Colton Police Department said one suspect was in custody and a “large amount” of the stolen merchandise was recovered.

Surveillance video shared by the police department, however, shows there was a second suspect involved who remains at large. The video shows two hooded burglars forcing their way into the store and filling what appears to be black trash bags with merchandise.

Into the Retroverse owner Jovonne Bernal told KTLA the break in the case came when other shop owners recognized his products when someone tried to sell them.

“When it comes to my stuff, I put it in a sleeve and then I put the price on the outside,” he told the outlet. “Apparently, I’m the only person who does that. I didn’t realize that made me stand out.”

Bernal said the total loss was closer to $25,000, with the thieves nabbing $16,000 worth of Pokémon merchandise alone.

Anthony Rey Estavane, 35, was charged with commercial burglary by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. Bernal said he immediately recognized the suspect.

“This guy is a regular here,” he told KTLA. “He’d been in here multiple times throughout the month, sometimes three to four times in one day. He brought his daughters in, he brought his son in.”