Santa Ana police probe $963,000 heist of graded sports and Pokémon cards from FedEx truck

Key points

• The theft occurred on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in the 1600 block of E. St. Andrew in Santa Ana, California.
• Police estimated the value of the stolen goods at $963,000, though the final amount may rise as remaining boxes are scanned.
• The stolen items included two full pallets and a third that was 'disrupted,' containing sports and Pokémon cards.
• PSA confirmed that a third-party carrier vehicle was burglarized after leaving their facility; the company itself was not impacted.
• PSA has deactivated certificates for the stolen items and notified marketplace partners to watch for rare and serialized items.
• PSA is arranging compensation for affected customers based on fair market value up to the maximum insured value.

Background

The trading card industry has grown into a multi-billion-dollar market, driven by the popularity of Pokémon and sports cards. PSA is the leading third-party authentication and grading service, which can significantly boost the resale value of cards. In 2024, a FedEx shipment of 54 vintage baseball cards worth $2.1 million was stolen by a hotel employee in Ohio, who was sentenced to four to six years in prison. The current theft highlights the risks associated with high-value shipments in the collectibles market.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and CBS News both reported the theft as a significant incident, emphasizing the value of the stolen items and the ongoing investigation. NBC News highlighted the emotional impact on collectors, such as Sky-B, who described being 'absolutely financially destroyed.' CBS News focused on the police investigation and the lack of arrests. Mashable provided context on the trading card market and PSA's response, noting that the company's facility was not impacted and that they are working with law enforcement. All sources agreed on the estimated value of $963,000 and the involvement of FedEx and PSA.

Why it matters

The theft underscores the vulnerabilities in the supply chain for high-value collectibles and the potential financial and emotional impact on collectors. It also highlights the growing market for trading cards and the need for robust security measures in their transportation and handling. The incident may lead to increased scrutiny of logistics companies and authentication services to prevent similar crimes in the future.

What to watch

Police are continuing their investigation, and PSA is working with law enforcement to recover the stolen items and hold those responsible accountable. Affected customers are being contacted by PSA to arrange compensation based on fair market value. The exact total value of the stolen items may rise as more boxes are scanned, and the case remains open with no arrests made as of Monday, October 20.