Pokémon card theft leads to drug bust and weapons charges in Arizona

Career Pokemon card thieves were arrested in Prescott Valley, Arizona, for allegedly stealing almost $500 worth of trading cards, which lead to a series of drug and firearms charges.

AZ Central reports that two individuals ages 25 and 26 were caught shoplifting after a local business reported a theft of Pokemon cards worth $483.46. The April 19, 2023, theft was just the tip of the iceberg, as the business owner suspected that the duo had stolen items on eight separate occasions since September 2022.

The collectible thieves were allegedly spotted by loss prevention on other dates stealing baseball and football cards.

Thanks to the identification of the individuals by the store's security team, authorities set up surveillance near the suspects' home. Just three days after the crime, the duo was questioned by police while in their car, which lead to a K9 search due to their history of prior drug possession.

With their baby in the car, the young adults were reportedly caught with three pounds of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) chocolate bars, one pound of marijuana, and 8.5 grams of cocaine. A firearm was also found in the car.

The suspects were charged with possession of dangerous drugs, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of a weapon in a drug offense, and endangerment.

The same week, other Pokemon gamers helped raise $125,000 for the family of a man killed by a drunk driver.

According to Yahoo News, 20-year-old Jacob Lewis and his sister were returning home from a concert in Houston when their car stalled.

Lewis began pushing the car but was hit and killed by a drunk driver. Alan Bryant, 34, is the alleged drunk driver who fled the scene after hitting the young man.

A tow truck driver, who allegedly watched the crash happen, was charged with failure to stop and render aid. The father told a local outlet that the driver "got out, helped my daughter get my son out from under his car, saw what happened and got in his car and left."

The "Pokémon Community of Houston" says that their only wish is to help the father "honor the memory of his son by raising money for flowers and funeral costs," adding that "his Pokémon family is here to help."

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