A Pokémon card restock in Pasadena appears to have drawn more than the usual overnight line. Police say a man was arrested after allegedly hiding inside a closed Best Buy, giving himself what witnesses suspected was an inside track on the next batch of trading cards.
According to NBC Los Angeles, 45-year-old Patrick Keys was seen walking around the Pasadena Best Buy after the store had shut for the night. Employees monitoring the store’s camera feed spotted him and called police.
Keys was arrested on suspicion of burglary. Police said there were no signs of forced entry, which suggests he may have found a place to hide before the store closed.
Why Pokémon cards still create retail chaos
Pokémon card drops and restocks have become serious business for collectors and resellers. Fans often line up outside stores for hours hoping to buy new products before they sell out, whether they want the cards for collecting, playing, or flipping on the secondary market.
Witnesses who were waiting outside the Best Buy told NBC Los Angeles they believed Keys may have been hiding inside to gain an advantage when Pokémon cards became available.
