Police in Santa Ana, California are asking for the public’s help in cracking a case involving almost $1 million in boosted trading cards.
The cards were taken from a FedEx truck parked outside Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA)’s grading headquarters earlier this month, as noted in this report from The Athletic. The driver is believed to have been away from the truck for up to 90 minutes, during which time the vehicle’s lock was broken.
When reached for comment by Complex on Tuesday (Oct. 20), a spokesperson for the Santa Ana Police Department confirmed it was “actively investigating” the Oct. 13 incident. The department also said that sports cards and Pokémon cards were among the types stolen from the truck.
“An officer responded to Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) regarding the theft of trading cards from a FedEx truck,” a Santa Ana Police Department rep told Complex. “Approximately two pallets were stolen, and a third pallet was disturbed. The pallets contained various trading cards, including, but not limited to, sports cards and Pokémon cards. The estimated value of the stolen cards at the time of the incident was $963,000. However, the exact value of the stolen items has not yet been determined.”
In a publicly shared statement, reps for PSA owners Collectors confirmed they had been made aware of “a theft involving a third-party shipping vehicle carrying PSA-graded items.” In response to the incident, Collectors has deactivated the certificates associated with the stolen items, as well as reached out to marketplace partners and affected customers.
“We understand the impact this has on collectors involved, many of whom see these cards as far more than a financial asset,” Collectors reps added. “Our team is focused on supporting them. We take this incident seriously, and we will continue working with law enforcement to hold those responsible accountable.”
A FedEx rep, meanwhile, said in their own statement to Complex on Tuesday that “the security of our customers’ shipments is a top priority,” adding that the company is working with local police in the ongoing investigation.
