Two men were arrested for the theft of an expensive and rare card in Florida.
The two Florida suspects arrested were connected to the theft of the rare and expensive Pokémon card valued at approximately $1,050.
Detectives began looking into the theft of a rare Pokémon card, identified as a Mega Gengar ex 284/217, from a local card shop in Central Florida.
During the incident, 36-year-old Joseph Roque and 26-year-old Enrique Saucedo entered the business. One distracted the clerk while the other took the card from a display case, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office and video surveillance. Both then left the store with the stolen card.
Detectives later learned the same two suspects had committed a similar theft at another store in downtown St. Petersburg.
Joseph Roque was arrested and taken into custody by law enforcement. During the investigation, detectives also learned that Enrique Saucedo had an outstanding warrant from the Tampa Police Department for kidnapping, false imprisonment, and domestic violence battery in an unrelated case.
Local detectives conducted surveillance at a Tampa residence where they believed Saucedo was located. When Saucedo attempted to avoid detection, detectives moved in. After briefly reentering the home, he was taken into custody without incident.
Both suspects faced grand theft charges related to the stolen Pokémon card.
“Retail theft has a direct impact on our local businesses and the safety of our community. Our Organized Retail Theft detectives take these cases seriously and work diligently to identify those responsible,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We will hold anyone who targets businesses in our community accountable. We remain committed to protecting our business community and ensuring those responsible face consequences.”
