Pokemon Cards Stolen in Massachusetts and California; One Robber Arrested,
The CardVault location in SoHo, co-owned by Tom Brady, faced a $9,710 theft of high-value baseball and Pokémon cards. Thimo Pedersen/Unsplash

National Football League (NFL) legend Tom Brady's new venture, the memorabilia firm CardVault, has just hit its first major stumbling block. A recent high-value theft has brought the company's security measures into sharp focus, prompting serious questions about the protection of its valuable assets.

A thief took nearly $10,000 (£7610.30) of valuable baseball and Pokemon trading items from the Tom Brady-backed shop in New York City, according to police officials. The incident occurred at the recently opened CardVault location, situated in SoHo, Manhattan, shortly before noon on 20 October.

Almost $10,000 / £7610.30 in Collectables Stolen

Police state that a man entered the premises and attempted a transaction, but his card was refused. Despite the unsuccessful payment, the man managed to convince the staff member that the purchase had been processed. He then simply walked out carrying $9,710 (£7389.60) worth of cards.

The SoHo establishment had begun trading just a few weeks before this theft. Brady himself had recently visited the site for its official launch event. This incident gained widespread attention due to the ownership connection to one of the biggest names in sports, particularly in the NFL. Brady had played for the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The New York police force is currently seeking assistance from the public to locate the individual responsible. The NYPD urges anyone with relevant information to ring their dedicated Crime Stoppers number, 1-800-577-TIPS.

Brady's Half-Share Hit

According to The Times of India, the seven-time Super Bowl champion holds a 50 per cent stake in CardVault, having first invested in February this year. Brady has often mentioned that collecting these items was a major part of his childhood.

He explained the company's purpose goes beyond simple card transactions, aiming instead to be about 'curating history' and providing enthusiasts with a welcoming space to share their passion. The theft happened at the lower Manhattan premises on Lafayette Street, where authorities report the person initially behaved like a regular customer.

The individual selected both baseball and Pokemon trading cards. The stolen items were highly sought-after cards, the sort of rare pieces prized by serious collectors, which explains their significant cost. Fortunately, no one inside the shop was injured during the event.

A report from ABC 7 states the person responsible was last observed travelling south on Lafayette Street, dressed entirely in black with white trainers, and carrying a colourful bag. CardVault operates other locations across Chicago , Boston, New Jersey, Dallas, and Long Island, though only this outlet in New York has been targeted.

Why Security is Now CardVault's Priority

This incident, occurring so soon after the grand opening, presents the first significant security challenge for the CardVault brand. While the police continue their search for the individual who executed this cunning deception, the theft underscores the soaring monetary and emotional value attached to these rare baseball and Pokemon cards.

For a business championed by a sports titan who views this as a passion project and a service to collectors, ensuring the utmost protection for these fragile pieces of 'history' is now undeniably the most critical next play.

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