Police in Greater Manchester have secured a haul of stolen Pokémon cards worth £250k, and arrested a man linked to their discovery.
As reported by BBC News, a police spokesperson announced the arrest by quipping: “Gotta catch ’em all ;)”
Helpfully, the cards still had their original price labels attached – something the police will now look to use as they return the cards to their rightful owners.
Including in the stolen stock are individually graded cards worth over £500 each, including a shiny Silver Tempest Lugia V (£560), shiny Team Rocket Dark Charizard (£350) and shiny Japanese McDonald’s Pikachu promo (£450).
“An interesting warrant in Hyde yesterday morning, supported by your neighbourhood policing teams,” Greater Manchester’s Tameside police wrote in a post on Facebook.
“Seizure of thousands of stolen, high-value Pokémon cards with an estimated worth of over £250k. Attempts will now be made to return the cards to the original owners. One male arrested. Gotta catch ’em all ;)”
This week, Pokémon cards returned to McDonald’s in the UK – with a focus this year on Dragon-type creatures. The fast food restaurant’s annual promotion has proven popular enough in the past that Happy Meals have been bought in bulk to acquire (and then scalp) the cards, prompting some outlets to restrict purchases.
Perhaps it would be safer to play with digital cards instead? If that’s your bag, Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Sun and Moon expansion is out now.