A specialized card shop in Simi Valley is reeling after a group of smash and grab burglars depleted its entire high value inventory in a matter of minutes. The burglary occurred early Sunday morning, January 4, at Simi Sportscards on Erringer Road. The owner estimates that the value of the stolen Pokémon and sports cards, combined with the significant damage to the storefront, will cost the business approximately $50,000 in total losses.
Brazen Smash and Grab Caught on Camera
Security footage from the shop captured a group of five masked suspects in hoodies entering the building around 3 30 a.m. One of the burglars was seen using a crowbar and what appeared to be a reciprocating saw to shatter the glass display cases. Once the glass was broken, the group worked with military precision, shoving rare cards and memorabilia into duffel bags as the security alarm blared in the background.
The entire operation took less than five minutes. Co owner Jake Miller expressed his frustration, noting that this is the second time in less than a year that the store has been targeted. He described a "violating feeling" that comes with working hard to build a business only to have it stripped away by criminals in such a short amount of time. The shelves of the store have been left empty, and it may take weeks for the shop to restock its unique inventory.
Potential Link to Southern California Card Theft Ring
The Simi Valley Police Department is currently investigating whether this heist is connected to a series of similar crimes across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Just last month, card shops in Woodland Hills, Glendale, and Burbank were targeted by thieves using nearly identical tactics. In one of those cases, burglars made off with over $100,000 worth of rare merchandise, suggesting that a sophisticated theft ring may be scouting these locations in advance.
The surge in card thefts is fueled by the sky high market value of rare collectibles, which has turned card shops into high stakes targets. Detectives are reviewing surveillance from neighboring businesses and working with other law enforcement agencies to see if the getaway vehicle matches descriptions from previous robberies. Simi Valley police noted that another card shop located just a mile away also faced a burglary attempt recently, highlighting the persistent threat to the local hobby community.
Community Support and the Search for Stolen Goods
In the wake of the theft, the local business community has stepped up to help. Other card shop owners in the area have reached out to Jake Miller to offer temporary inventory so that Simi Sportscards can reopen its doors. The owners have also sent out a detailed list of high value stolen cards to shops throughout the state, hoping that a thief will be foolish enough to try and sell the unique items to a legitimate dealer.
For now, Simi Sportscards is focused on repairs and upgrading its security measures to prevent a third incident. The police are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious vehicles near Erringer Road on Sunday morning to contact the department. As the market for rare cards continues to boom, local shop owners are being urged to invest in reinforced glass and advanced alarm systems to protect their valuable stock from the current wave of professional thieves.