Two Birmingham brothers, Keith Johnson and Shane Johnson, admitted to burglaries involving collectible Pokémon card stock valued at about £71,000. Keith Johnson received a 29-month prison sentence, while Shane Johnson is due to be sentenced on July 31.
The larger reported break-in took place at Celestial Collectables in Warrington on April 8, 2026, where stock mainly made up of Pokémon cards was taken and the shop also suffered damage. Investigators linked a white Ford Transit van to the incident, and the vehicle reportedly broke down during the escape before goods were moved into another van.
A second burglary at The Graded Gallery in Rugby followed a similar pattern, with stolen stock and damage reported at more than £9,000. Police later searched an address connected to the suspects and recovered vehicle keys and property linked to multiple burglaries.
The case underlines how high-value trading cards have become a target beyond online resale disputes and hobby-store theft concerns. For communities built around Pokémon collecting, the discussion now turns to how small retailers can protect inventory without making local card shops feel inaccessible to fans.
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