$100K Worth of Rare Pokemon and MTG Cards Discovered by Police After Golf Cart Heist

Authorities have successfully recovered rare Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering cards valued at $100,000 following a string of thefts across golf courses in the greater Toronto area.

The investigation commenced in August 2024, after law enforcement received complaints regarding a series of burglaries and thefts that had targeted golf courses in the York, Durham, and Waterloo Regions, in addition to Simcoe County.

On October 16, two months into the investigation, police executed seven search warrants at multiple residences and storage facilities. During these operations, they discovered a significant cache of stolen property.

Among the recovered items were 18 golf carts, along with rare Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering trading cards appraised at around $100,000, as well as construction equipment, golf clubs, and illegal substances including marijuana and cocaine.

hitmonchan in front of pokemon cards — Rare Pokémon cards

Authorities recovered stolen Pokémon and MTG cards valued at $100,000.

Historically, Pokémon and similar trading cards have been utilized by some dealers as a form of currency in the drug trade.

The investigation has led to multiple charges against four suspects. One individual, 36-year-old Andrew Skibinsky, was already facing a lifetime ban on firearm possession due to previous unrelated offenses and has since been charged with Possession of a Weapon Contrary to Order.

Additional suspects include 41-year-old Damien Russell and 48-year-old William Johnston, both from Keswick, along with 19-year-old Austin Parnell from Vaughan, who was charged solely with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000.

Law enforcement states that all suspects are linked to the thefts, which have exceeded $1 million in total value. As of the latest updates, only about half of that amount has been retrieved.

This incident is not an isolated event in Canada, where Pokémon card thefts have sparked considerable online interest. Earlier this month, a $40,000 robbery was halted when staff at a game store managed to delay thieves by engaging them in conversation until the police arrived.

Crimes involving Pokémon cards are on the rise, as these collectibles can fetch significant prices based on their rarity. Notably, in April, four individuals faced charges after a Charizard card valued at $7,000 was stolen at knifepoint.

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