In a shocking robbery on Wednesday evening, three armed men stormed Poké Court, a new Pokémon card store on West 13th Street, Manhattan, stealing rare Pokémon cards worth over $100,000. The incident happened around 6:45 pm during the store’s first community arts-and-crafts event since opening in November. Store owner Courtney Chin told the New York Times that one robber pointed a gun at customers and staff while another blocked the exit with a curtain. Security footage showed the robbers smashing a locked display case and grabbing high-value cards and sealed packs. Among the stolen items was a first-edition Charizard card worth about $15,000. Products taken ranged from $400 to $18,000 in value, said the store’s partnerships manager, Peter Du. Along with the cards, the robbers also took cash from the register and a phone from a customer. The police said the robbery lasted only about three minutes with no injuries reported. No arrests have been made yet, and the New York Police Department investigation is ongoing. The store’s community felt the impact as around 50 people attended the event focused on customizing card displays. Courtney Chin expressed her shock: "It’s a beautiful place. It’s a community space, and we obviously want to keep it safe and bright and cozy and welcoming." Police presence increased outside the shop the next day, and broken glass was still visible. Supporters sent snacks and supplies to help the store recover. This robbery adds to a recent surge in Pokémon card thefts across the United States. Earlier this month, a California store lost $300,000 in Pokémon cards. In July, a Massachusetts shop saw over $100,000 worth of rare cards stolen. Incidents were also reported in Los Angeles. Experts link these crimes to the growing value of Pokémon cards as collectors treat rare cards like investments. Corey Williams, an economics professor, said the pandemic renewed interest in Pokémon, making cards tempting targets for criminals. Many stores now rethink security measures, limiting high-value displays or requiring appointments. Meanwhile, police continue their search to "catch them all" and recover the stolen treasures, just as the Pokémon slogan famously says.