Man Arrested After Hiding Inside Closed Best Buy Ahead of Pokémon Card Restock
A 45-year-old man in Pasadena, California was arrested after hiding inside a closed Best Buy to gain an early advantage during a Pokémon card restock. Patrick Keys concealed himself in the store after hours and was discovered by employees monitoring security cameras. Police responded and arrested Keys on suspicion of burglary. Investigators found no evidence of forced entry, indicating Keys likely remained hidden in the store when it closed for the night.
The incident highlights the intense competition surrounding Pokémon Trading Card Game product releases. Collectors frequently camp outside retail locations for extended periods to secure cards before stock runs out. The collectible card market has experienced significant demand volatility in recent years, motivating competitive and sometimes desperate behavior among enthusiasts seeking rare or newly released products.
Keys’ arrest underscores the extreme lengths some collectors will pursue to obtain Pokémon cards, raising questions about retail release strategies for highly sought-after collectibles. While the Pasadena incident appears to be an isolated criminal act, it reflects broader frustration within the collecting community over limited availability and difficulties acquiring cards through standard retail channels.