A series of alarming armed robberies have targeted Pokémon stores across the United States, with a particularly brazen heist occurring at a store in Manhattan. Thieves armed with guns and hammers made off with over $100,000 in merchandise, including rare Pokémon cards, while holding customers at gunpoint. Security footage captured the shocking incident, highlighting a trend of increasing thefts in the collectible card market. Other stores, like one in Everett, have also reported break-ins, further raising concerns among local shop owners who are enhancing security measures in light of these crimes. The rise in value and popularity of Pokémon cards has seemingly attracted not only collectors but also criminals, leading to a spike in robberies nationwide.