Nearly $1 Million in Pokemon and Sports Trading Cards Stolen From FedEx Truck in California

A FedEx truck was reportedly robbed of 250 packages containing nearly $1 million worth of trading cards, including Pokémon and sports cards.

According to a Monday, October 19, report by The Athletic, the items were stolen on October 13 from a FedEx vehicle parked near the headquarters of Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), a company that grades and authenticates trading cards.

The truck was reportedly carrying newly graded cards on their way back to their owners when the theft occurred.

The Santa Ana Police Department told the outlet that the FedEx truck was broken into while the driver was away. Two pallets containing an estimated 100 packages each were reportedly stolen, along with 50 additional packages from a third pallet.

Per the outlet, PSA estimated the value of the two stolen pallets at $963,000, while the value of the packages taken from the third pallet has yet to be confirmed.

“The pallets contained various trading cards, including, but not limited to, sports cards and Pokémon cards,” the SAPD said in a statement to The Athletic. “The exact value of the stolen items has not yet been determined, pending further investigation. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Santa Ana Police Department.”

PSA’s parent company, Collectors, issued a statement following the incident, confirming that it was working closely with law enforcement as the investigation continues.

“We have deactivated the certificates for the stolen items and notified marketplace partners so they can be on the lookout for rare and serialized items,” the statement read in part. “Our customer service team has contacted affected customers directly and is arranging compensation based on fair market value.”

One of the affected collectors, YouTuber SKY-B Cards, said about 104 of his cards were stolen, with an estimated value of more than $100,000.

He also said he paid $8,000 in grading fees and had insured the cards for up to $156,000.

“These were 104 cards that I’ve accumulated over 2 years. There are many irreplaceable cards in here that I will never see again,” he said in a YouTube video posted on Monday. “And honestly, that’s what hurts the most outside of obviously being absolutely financially destroyed here.”

In a statement to NBC News, FedEx assured that “the security of our customers’ shipments is a top priority, and we are working with local law enforcement in their investigation.”