The owners of a Pokémon card shop have been left “beyond devastated” after raiders caused losses and damage totalling around £6,000.
Brad and Toni Marlow and Darren “Daz” Thirkell have had around £4,000 of stock stolen including approximately £2,000 of professionally graded cards and £2,000 of ungraded or “raw” cards.
The trio fear the collection will be broken up and sold on.
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CCTV captured two people breaking into Trading Cards Gainsborough through a smashed window in the early hours.
One of the figures can be seen climbing into the independent shop before the pair rip an entire display wall from its fittings.
They then drag the unit, which was packed with valuable Pokémon cards, across the floor and through the window.
The break-in happened at the Lord Street store in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, shortly after 3.15am on Sunday (9 August).
Brad, 34, Toni, 35, and Daz, 36, also expect they will have to pay roughly £2,000 to replace the smashed window and damaged display walls.
The specialist card displays had been exclusively sourced from Japan.
“All damage and stolen goods are around £6,000,” Brad told Need To Know.
“We are beyond devastated about it all and going through all the emotions.
“It’s pure shock and disbelief. We are angry, upset and hurt that someone local could do this.
“We still haven’t come to terms with what has happened.”
The owners said they would like the stolen cards returned but fear the collection will instead be broken up and sold.
Brad added: “We would like all the cards returned if possible, but we know that’s not going to happen.
“They will find a way to try and sell them.
“It’s all sentimental to us as we have worked so hard to get to where we are.
“People are ruining the hobby for the next generation of trainers.”
The shop has been operating for just under three years and is due to celebrate its third anniversary in September.
After discovering the raid, the owners told customers: “The unimaginable has happened.
“We got broken into last night, so please give us time to sort through and to sort out what is what.
“We are broken and we are furious.
“We will be open again in the near future.”
They later published the CCTV footage and appealed for help identifying the people shown.
The business said it had received “overwhelming support” from the local community via a Just Giving fundraiser.
Lincolnshire Police is investigating and has appealed for CCTV, doorbell and dashcam footage from the surrounding area.
Inspector Michael Head said: “We understand incidents like this can be upsetting for business owners and customers alike, and we are committed to supporting the victim while carrying out a thorough investigation.
“For specialist shops such as this, stock often represents years of investment and dedication, and the effects of theft can be felt far beyond the immediate financial cost.
“Crimes of this nature can have a significant impact on local businesses, particularly independent retailers, causing substantial financial loss and disruption.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident 26000474135.
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