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Pokémon Card Theft: Man Hides in Best Buy Overnight

A 45-year-old California man was arrested after allegedly hiding inside a Best Buy overnight to get his hands on highly sought-after Pokémon cards before the store opened. The incident occurred in the early hours of April 29, when police responded to a call shortly after 1 AM.

Burglary Attempt Foiled

Employees monitoring a live feed spotted the man inside the closed store and contacted law enforcement. Officers arrived and, with assistance from a staff member, entered the building and arrested the suspect, identified as Patrick Keys, on burglary charges. The arrest took place as numerous Pokémon fans were camping outside the Best Buy, eagerly awaiting the release of the popular ‘151’ card set.

Ongoing Demand Fuels Unusual Crimes

The Pokémon Trading Card Game continues to command high prices on the secondary market, driving scalpers and collectors to extreme measures. Confrontations and thefts at card releases have become increasingly common. Earlier in 2026, thieves tunneled through the wall of a California collectibles store and made off with about $180,000 worth of Pokémon cards, highlighting the lengths some are willing to go for the collectibles.

Fans waiting in line for the Best Buy release expressed confusion when police arrived. One camper told NBC, “I was just here for some Pokemon drop, but I went to the restroom. Not even 15 minutes, and there was cops everywhere.” The incident underscores the persistent security challenges surrounding high-demand Pokémon card launches.

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