Rare Pokémon cards stolen from French store

Four hooded individuals robbed the Smogtrade store in Bourgoin-Jallieu, central-eastern France, during the early hours of Thursday, August 13, 2026. According to the store's manager, the perpetrators broke into the premises at approximately 4:00 a.m. local time and stole hundreds of collectible cards, primarily from the Pokémon franchise, before fleeing the scene in a vehicle when the alarm was triggered. The total value of the stolen merchandise is estimated to be approximately 80,000 euros.

Local law enforcement authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident to identify the suspects and recover the stolen items. This heist highlights the growing security risks associated with the increasing market value of collectible gaming cards, which have become frequent targets for theft both in France and internationally. The store management confirmed the loss to Agence France-Presse (AFP), noting that the high resale price of these specific cards has made them prime targets for criminals in recent years.