NYC Pokémon shop worker describes outpouring of love, community, after brazen trio robbed $100K in rare trading cards
The Pokémon community in Manhattan has shown an outpouring of support for a local shop that was recently robbed of over $100,000 worth of rare trading cards. The incident occurred during a community arts-and-crafts night at Poké Court, where masked robbers armed with hammers smashed glass displays and made off with valuable cards.
Peter Du, an employee at the shop, described the harrowing experience in a HuffPost essay. Despite the traumatic event, the response from the community has been overwhelming. Local businesses and artists have come forward to offer assistance in repairing the shop’s displays and providing food for the staff and customers.
In the aftermath of the robbery, customers and strangers alike pitched in to clean up the store and offer support. Carpenters and glassmakers volunteered to fix the damaged cases, while artists offered to replace stolen displays with new paintings and woodwork. Even Sarah Natochenny, the voice actor behind Ash Ketchum in the Pokémon anime, showed up with free pizza for everyone in the store.
Du shared that he was motivated to work at the shop due to the support he received from the Pokémon community after his father passed away in 2016. The recent robbery brought back memories of that difficult time, but the response from the community has been a source of strength and resilience.
The stolen cards, which depicted characters like Treecko, Charizard, Pikachu, and Ho-Oh, are still missing, and the suspects remain at large. Despite the loss, Du emphasized that the community’s passion for Pokémon remains unwavering. The support and solidarity shown in the wake of the robbery have been a testament to the strength of the Pokémon community in Manhattan.
As the shop continues to recover from the robbery, Du expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support. The resilience and unity displayed by the community have served as a reminder of the enduring spirit of Pokémon fans. The shop may have been robbed, but the bond shared by those who love the franchise remains unbreakable.
