Woman allegedly steals S$364 worth of Pokémon cards from Orchard store, targeted rarer cards

A woman allegedly stole S$364 worth of Pokémon cards from a trading card game (TCG) shop in The Centrepoint mall on Orchard Road on Nov. 7.

The store, Play United, posted a video of the incident on its Facebook page, seeking eyewitnesses and giving the woman a chance to come forward and return the cards; otherwise, a police report would be filed.

In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, the store owner, Wu, said the woman targeted higher-priced and rarer cards.

The 32-year-old store owner suspected that the woman knew the value of the Pokémon cards.

Took 13 packs of Pokémon cards

The CCTV footage showed a woman with medium-length hair in a blue dress browsing the card selection.

The bespectacled woman kept glancing to her right.

Shin Min noted that when a clerk turned to attend to other customers in the store, the woman reached out and took a stack of cards from the table and display case.

According to the video, the woman allegedly stole packs of The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—151 expansion, Japanese edition.

The overlaid caption of the video noted: "Hoseh 151 (Jap) 100 per cent off for her. You have three days to surrender yourself; otherwise, we will press charges."

"We have CCTV everywhere; don't try to be funny."

The woman allegedly stole a total of 13 packs, priced at S$28 each.

Most of them were best-selling sets, with some being discontinued collectables.

Chance to return the cards

After speaking with her staff, Wu found out that the woman was a first-time customer, reported Shin Min.

Wu said that other branches of the TCG chain had faced thefts in the past, but as the amounts stolen in those instances were small, the chain decided not to pursue the matter.

However, in this instance, the number of cards allegedly taken by the woman was higher.

Shin Min reported that the store chose to be lenient and give the woman a chance to return the cards and apologise.

Woman has not shown up

The woman has yet to make restitution.

Wu said: "Perhaps she has some difficulties. Hopefully, she'll be willing to return and resolve this issue. If so, we won't pursue the matter any further."

Shin Min noted that the store has installed more than 10 surveillance cameras and reduced the number of items on display to prevent theft.

Noting that displaying the cards allows customers to pick what they want, Wu said it was impossible to store all of the cards.

After the incident, Wu said she reminded employees to be more vigilant and to put the cards back in their boxes.

More than 10 CCTV cameras have been installed in the store, covering almost all angles to prevent theft, Wu added.