Two brothers have been sentenced for their involvement in burglaries targeting Pokémon card stores, with authorities recovering approximately £71,000 worth of stolen stock. Keith Johnson pleaded guilty to burglary and was sentenced to 29 months in jail, while his brother, Shane Johnson, awaits sentencing later this month.
The thefts occurred at two businesses: Celestial Collectibles in Warrington and The Graded Gallery in Rugby. The brothers used crowbars to break into both stores, causing thousands of pounds in damage. Following the initial break-in, police were alerted and observed the suspects escaping in a Ford Transit van. Their getaway was hampered when the vehicle broke down, forcing them to push it to a secondary vehicle. This second van was later found parked outside their residence.
Authorities apprehended the brothers at their home, where they discovered the stolen Pokémon cards, keys to both getaway vehicles, and clothing worn during the first burglary. According to Cheshire Police, the evidence collected during their investigation was substantial, leaving the brothers with no option but to plead guilty.
These incidents are part of a broader trend of high-value thefts targeting Pokémon cards, driven by the collectible's significant popularity and ongoing scarcity. Despite The Pokémon Company's increased production, with 10 billion cards manufactured in 2025 alone, demand reportedly continues to outstrip supply. This has led to numerous instances of trading card stores being targeted, including armed robberies and other high-profile thefts across the globe.