The Poke Court, a Pokémon card store in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, experienced an armed robbery during its first community event since opening. According to ABC7NY, three masked individuals, reportedly armed with a gun and hammers, restrained more than 40 attendees while carrying out the theft.
The suspects, who were carrying anime backpacks, took merchandise valued at over $100,000 within minutes. No physical injuries were reported, but attendees were impacted by the sudden violence. The store, intended as a community space for enthusiasts, became the site of an armed robbery. Store owner Courtney Chin told ABC7NY that her focus was on maintaining a safe environment for patrons, stating that the incident “was not even about the money.”
The robbery was executed quickly, leaving employees and customers in shock. In an interview with ABC7NY, store owner Courtney Chin said she is considering additional security measures, noting that police and nearby businesses have suggested hiring an armed guard or doorman. The incident follows a recent string of similar robberies at genre-specific stores in Boston, Los Angeles, and Seattle over the past week.
The stolen items included highly valuable Pokémon cards, with individual cards reportedly worth thousands, PIX11 reported. The robbery, which took place during a community event, contrasted with the store’s aim of providing a safe and welcoming environment. A witness shared on social media that, while no one was physically injured, they were “very shaken up” and noted the impact on the small business, observations later echoed by the store.
In response to the theft, The Poke Court has asked customers to help identify any stolen items that may appear on resale websites, sharing images of the missing cards on the store’s Instagram page. Founder Courtney Chin said to PIX11 that the safety of customers, employees, and friends remains the top priority. The NYPD continues to investigate the armed robbery, while the store works to recover from the incident and resume normal operations.
