Collecting Pokémon cards is not just a hobby for thousands of people around the world, it’s their livelihood.
Thomas Pham, owner of TP Collectibles off South Jupiter Road in Garland, told WFAA, “Pokémon is my life 24/7 nowadays. Ever since I started doing this business, it’s just wake up Pokémon and go to sleep after you’re done with Pokémon.”
Unfortunately, earlier this month Pham’s shop took a major hit when a thief broke into the store overnight and stole nearly $20,000 worth of Pokémon cards.
Pham recalled, “He definitely knew what he was doing. He had a plan in mind. He just went straight to one section, slid everything into a bag, then went to another section and slid everything into a bag. Then after that, he grabbed some stuff on the way out, and then he was in and out within 90 seconds.”
Six days later, another card shop, SB Card Vault in Arlington was robbed, and police later found the car associated with the robbery crashed nearby. After a short foot chase, 26-year-old Anthony Lorenzo Giron.
Police say the same clothing, method, and vehicle, along with the comparative security cam footage from both stores tied Giron to both robberies.
Detectives are also investigating whether Giron may be linked to two additional card shop break-ins in Dallas.
Pham said that card shop owners across North Texas warn each other after their businesses are hit. “The moment we got hit, the first thing we do is let each other know,” he said. “Information is just key nowadays--the community is strong.”
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