A Michigan collectible card shop owner is grappling with heavy losses after a burglar stole tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of Pokémon cards in a break-in captured on surveillance footage.
Jonathan Gappy, the owner of First Edition Finds in Sterling Heights, said the thief specifically targeted the store’s most valuable items, taking approximately $50,000 worth of merchandise.
“It was honestly something we never expected,” Gappy said, adding that the suspect appeared to have prior knowledge of the shop’s layout. “He went directly for the highest-value items behind the shelves. He definitely knew what he was after.”
The burglary occurred just after midnight on Wednesday. Gappy received a security alert on his phone and, upon checking the live feed, saw the intruder inside taking items and damaging property. Sterling Heights police responded to the incident but the suspect had fled by the time they arrived.
Among the stolen items were professionally graded Pokémon cards, many rated as “gem mint” 10 out of 10. “These weren’t just loose cards someone had in a binder,” Gappy explained. “They were sent to grading companies to certify their perfect condition.”
First Edition Finds, a family-run hobby store, has only been open for about two months. Gappy described the theft as a significant blow, particularly as some stolen cards held sentimental value from moments shared with his daughter, including special cards opened together during Christmas.
Despite the setback, Gappy remains determined to keep the store open, calling the venture a passion project rather than just a business. He is now offering a $15,000 cash reward for information leading to the suspect’s identification and is urging other hobby shop owners to increase security.
“Lock up everything you can and stay aware of who’s coming into your store,” he advised. “It’s frightening what’s happening right now.”
Anyone with information about the crime or the suspect seen in the video is encouraged to contact Sterling Heights police.
