Man Launches Armed Robbery Spree Targeting Pokemon Card Retailers

A Chicago man, aged 23, finds himself facing serious legal consequences after being accused of orchestrating a series of armed robberies. These incidents specifically targeted individuals selling Pokemon cards through online marketplaces, as revealed by authorities.

According to a report by CWB Chicago, Anthony Garcia has been charged with five counts of armed robbery involving a firearm. Chicago police state that Garcia allegedly used Facebook Marketplace to set up face-to-face meetings with sellers who advertised Pokemon cards. When the sellers arrived at the designated meeting places, Garcia is accused of leading them into building lobbies, brandishing a gun, and seizing the collectible cards before fleeing on foot.

The string of robberies all occurred in March within the Gage Park area on Chicago’s Southwest Side. The first robbery happened on March 17, targeting a 20-year-old victim. On March 27, another 20-year-old was victimized in the same vicinity. The crime spree continued with a 19-year-old victim on March 28 and two separate incidents on March 29, involving victims aged 29 and 21, respectively.

The Pokemon card market has experienced a notable boom in recent years, with rare cards commanding high prices and drawing the attention of collectors and investors. This surge in value appears to have made sellers a target for criminal schemes.

In a related incident, Breitbart News highlighted a January heist at a card shop where thieves made off with Pokemon cards valued at a staggering $300,000.

Breitbart News reported in January that a card shop heist netted $300,000 worth of Pokemon cards for the crooks:

A customer of RWT Collective encountered the thieves as he was leaving and he was reportedly held at gunpoint in a parking garage. The cards, the NBC article said, were inside a briefcase.

Meanwhile, a similar theft happened at Simi Sportscards on Erringer Road where thieves broke in with a chainsaw. After smashing the display cases, the group fled with about $50,000 worth of cards.

Court records reveal that Garcia has a prior criminal history. Chicago police records indicate he was previously arrested in August 2025 for retail theft. More notably, he was also arrested in 2020 for armed robbery with a firearm, suggesting a pattern of similar criminal behavior spanning several years.