Burbank, CA — Four men were arrested in connection with the theft of rare trading cards and collectibles worth approximately $100,000 from a Burbank sports card shop last month, police announced Thursday.
The burglary occurred on Dec. 2 at around 2 a.m. at LA Sports Cards, located on West Olive Avenue. Investigators said the suspects broke in through the front of the shop and ransacked the interior. Stolen items included rare Pokémon trading cards, sports cards, and other collectible merchandise.
Police served search warrants at four locations connected to the suspects on Dec. 18 and Jan. 8. Security camera footage helped identify the four men: Brian Chavez, 22, of Los Angeles; Jeremy Lopez, 22, of Los Angeles; Marco Barrongil, 26, of North Hollywood; and Elijah Garcia, 27, of Compton. All were arrested on suspicion of burglary.
The shop owner, Kit Nguyen, told NBCLA that the thieves appeared to know exactly what they were looking for. “They started with the Pokémon side,” Nguyen said. Rare Kobe Bryant and Cristiano Ronaldo cards were also stolen, though Pokémon cards remain his most popular items.
This theft is part of a growing trend of collectible card store burglaries in Southern California, including reported incidents in Glendale, West Los Angeles, and Simi Valley. Law enforcement agencies are investigating whether these incidents are connected.
