Man sentenced to 10 years in prison for major Pokémon card heist
A 36-year-old man from Wilmington, North Carolina, was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to a $21,000 Pokémon card heist at a local video game shop in January. According to surveillance footage and reports from WECT News and North Carolina District Attorney James W. Smith, Joseph Trevor Wilson pepper sprayed and physically restrained a store employee at Video Game Time before brandishing a firearm to flee with Pokémon cards and cash. The suspect was apprehended five days later during a traffic stop, at which point authorities discovered a B.B. pistol and controlled substances in his possession. The sentencing underscores the growing problem of Pokémon-related crime, as high-value trading cards have increasingly become targets for criminal activity. The incident highlights the vulnerability of retail establishments specializing in collectible merchandise and the risks faced by workers in these environments.