Nearly $1 million worth of sports and Pokémon trading cards were stolen from a FedEx truck parked in Santa Ana, California, last week, authorities and industry sources reported. The theft highlights a growing trend of collectibles becoming targets for criminals.
The Santa Ana Police Department said the stolen goods included two pallets of trading cards—each containing roughly 100 packages—and additional packages from a third pallet, the total value reaching approximately $963,000. The cards had been sent to Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), a Santa Ana-based company that grades and certifies trading cards to establish their authenticity and value, before being returned to their owners.
The FedEx truck was parked near PSA’s facility at 1610 E. St. Andrew Place when the incident occurred. Police stated that the driver left the vehicle unattended for about an hour to 90 minutes during which time the lock on the truck was forcibly broken and the cards were stolen. As of Tuesday, no arrests had been made, and the items had not yet been recovered. FedEx emphasized that protecting customer shipments remains a top priority and that it is cooperating with law enforcement.
Affected collectors, like Skyler Bennett—who collects under the name SKY-B CARDS—reported significant losses. Bennett had 104 certified cards taken from the shipment that was en route to Michigan; he had invested around $8,000 in grading fees and insured the collection for $156,000, although he said this amount was below the market value. He described some of the missing cards as irreplaceable. Other individuals tracking the theft noted that more than 1,000 specific stolen items have been identified.
PSA confirmed it was not in possession of the cards at the time of the theft and learned of the burglary through the shipping company. The authenticator has deactivated the certification numbers associated with the stolen items and informed online marketplaces and auction platforms to watch for the cards resurfacing. The company is also working directly with the victims to provide compensation based on fair market value while investigating the incident to prevent future occurrences.
The theft occurs amid a broader surge in the trading card market, which has expanded from a childhood pastime to a multi-million-dollar investment sector. Rare cards can fetch millions of dollars, attracting collectors and investors alike. This has, in turn, led to several reported thefts targeting trading card businesses. Earlier this year, armed robbers stole Pokémon cards in a New York City store while customers were attending a community event, though no one was physically harmed.
Some experts highlight the risks of shipping valuable collectibles, as labels and insurance information can expose the contents, and well-known authenticators like PSA may inadvertently attract thieves. The incident serves as a cautionary reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in transporting high-value collectible goods.