Thieves smashed into Punch-Out Gaming in Forest Lake overnight this weekend, shattering a front window and clearing out cases of Pokémon gear in a fast, targeted hit. Owners say the loss is in the tens of thousands of dollars, yet the shop still opened Saturday with the broken window boarded over, another entry in a growing run of smash-and-grab thefts hitting trading-card stores across the Twin Cities.
Owners say it was a quick smash-and-grab
Staff at Punch-Out Gaming told CBS Minnesota the break-in happened overnight Saturday and that the burglars made off with between $30,000 and $50,000 in merchandise, mostly Pokémon cards. Co-owner Mike Johnson said he woke up to an alarm and that, in his words, “They were out of here in probably a minute and a half.” The store had recently expanded into the neighboring space and, after a previous major theft, added cameras and sensors throughout.
Surveillance shows a front-window smash
Security video reviewed by FOX 9 appears to show two people arriving around 4 a.m., smashing through a front window and quickly emptying display cases before taking off. Owner Eric Johnson told the station the pair headed straight to a wall of sealed product and grabbed higher-value Pokémon boxes. With the front glass now gone, the shop says it is considering short-term fixes such as extra overnight monitoring and additional staffing while repairs are underway.
Not the shop's first major theft
This is not the first time Punch-Out Gaming has been hit hard. In February 2022, thieves punched through a wall and stole roughly $250,000 worth of Pokémon inventory, according to the Star Tribune. Investigators later charged two men in that case after matching DNA and other evidence. Owners say that earlier robbery led to changes in the store’s layout and security, yet the latest smash-and-grab is another reminder of how quickly organized thieves can move.
Shops and collectors try to flag stolen slabs
Many of the most valuable cards are serialized or PSA graded, which can make them easier to identify if they pop up for resale. After an Eagan claw-arcade reported losing about $25,000 to $30,000 in late June, the business published certification numbers for roughly 20 missing cards in an effort to help shops and collectors spot them, as detailed in masked thieves clean out Eagan arcade. Store owners and hobbyists say careful checks of certification numbers and quick reporting of suspicious listings remain their best shot at getting stolen cards back.
Police response and what to watch for
Forest Lake police have not released further details as they continue to investigate, and WCCO has reached out to the department for comment, according to CBS Minnesota. Johnson said the suspects appeared to flee in a van that was missing three hubcaps and added that, in a tight-knit community, he expects tips to come in. Anyone with information has been urged to contact the store or local law enforcement.
