UK Brothers Arrested in Alleged $95,000 Pokémon Card Heist
Two brothers in the UK have been arrested after an alleged raid targeting rare Pokémon trading cards, with investigators putting the total haul at about $95,000 in value.
Timeline and locations of the raids
| Incident | Date | Location | What happened |
|---|---|---|---|
| First break-in | April 8 | Warrington (Celestial Collectables) | Store forced entry with a crowbar; display cases smashed; cards and sealed product taken; getaway vehicle later broke down |
| Second break-in | About a week later | Rugby, Warwickshire (The Graded Gallery) | Another crowbar entry; damages reported; escape vehicle switched to an SUV |
On April 8, Keith Johnson, 33, and Shane Johnson, 37, were accused of breaking into the Warrington-based Celestial Collectables shop using a crowbar. Authorities say the pair caused around $4,000 in damage as they smashed display cases and stole trading cards, individual packs, and booster boxes during a raid that lasted roughly four minutes.
Footage captured the escape attempt as well. Investigators report that the brothers’ getaway van malfunctioned when they tried to get away, and additional CCTV later showed them pushing the disabled vehicle toward a separate van that had arrived from Birmingham.
For the people running the store, the aftermath was personal. “The break-in left me devastated,” said Chris Grundy, a 30-year-old co-owner. He described how the attackers “obliterated” the shop, adding that the work that went into building up the business made the destruction “heartbreaking,” and that it took time to recover. Grundy also expressed hope that the court outcome would act as a warning to anyone considering similar action.
It’s also a sign of how competitive the card collecting business can be—especially as Pokémon trading cards remain a high-demand commodity for collectors, sellers, and criminals alike.
From van to SUV, then guilty pleas
Investigators say the stolen items from the first raid were transferred into the second van, which was later located parked near Shane Johnson’s home address.
A week after the Warrington incident, the brothers were accused of striking again—this time at The Graded Gallery in Rugby, Warwickshire. Police allege they returned with a crowbar to force entry and caused additional damages reported at about $12,000. This time, instead of escaping in a van, they reportedly used an SUV: a Nissan X-Trail. That vehicle was later found in Birmingham.
When the brothers were arrested, police reported recovering keys for both the van and the SUV. Authorities also said they found evidence tying the suspects to the Celestial Collectables theft, including stolen items packaged in a box bearing the shop’s logo. In addition, officers reported finding tools they believed were intended for further burglaries, along with goods linked to earlier raids.
Details about the escape planning were also included in the case: the getaway vehicle in the first break-in was described as a white Ford Transit van that had a cloned number plate prepared for the theft.
Court outcomes
Keith Johnson entered a guilty plea to two counts of burglary at Birmingham Crown Court on July 2. He received a sentence of two years and five months in prison. His brother, Shane Johnson, also pleaded guilty to the same burglary charges and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31 later this month.
Police statement on evidence and plea
DC Hannah Smith of the Cheshire constabulary said investigators gathered “overwhelming evidence” through extensive enquiries that placed Keith and Shane Johnson at both crime scenes, leaving them “no choice” but to plead guilty. She added that the brothers would now “have to pay the price” for their role in the alleged criminal Pokémon operation.
A separate incident also highlighted the ongoing risk around collectible card theft, with a prolific Pokémon card thief reportedly being caught near Manchester.
