A Canadian Pokémon collector, Emilio Kihien, orchestrated his own recovery of approximately $4,000 worth of stolen trading cards. The incident occurred when individuals posing as buyers presented Kihien with counterfeit currency, snatched the cards, and fled. Kihien sustained injuries including bruising and road rash when he attempted to pursue the thieves, even clinging to their getaway vehicle.
Following the theft, Kihien reported the incident to local police, but stated that authorities indicated they could not offer significant assistance. He recounted an officer suggesting he attempt to "set them up himself." A few days later, a friend of Kihien's discovered an online listing for the stolen cards, featuring images identical to Kihien's original advertisement. Believing the perpetrators lacked sophistication, Kihien and his associates devised a plan.
They arranged to meet the sellers under the guise of interested buyers at a mall in Burnaby. During the exchange on August 13, Kihien and his group detained the individuals until law enforcement arrived. Reports indicate one adult and one juvenile were taken into custody, potentially facing theft charges. Kihien documented the operation with his smart glasses, capturing footage of his group preventing the suspects from leaving the mall.
The recovered cards, which included three rare 2023 Pokémon Mew EN Special Illustration Rare EX cards graded PSA 10, were largely undamaged, though one card case was cracked during the apprehension. This event follows a string of high-profile Pokémon TCG thefts, including a case in Britain where thieves stole £71,000 worth of stock.