Calgary police have arrested and charged two men following a series of high-stakes break-ins that saw thieves make off with more than $80,000 worth of rare trading cards from collectible shops across the city's southeast communities.
The targeted robberies unfolded over four separate occasions between July and September 2025, with suspects using pry bars and power tools to smash their way into stores during the early morning hours before escaping in stolen vehicles.
The brazen thefts have shaken Calgary's tight-knit collectible community, with some shop owners resorting to sleeping in their stores just to protect their inventory from further losses.
A Crime That Goes Beyond Simple Theft
Calgary police Const. Garret Dawson underscored the human toll of these crimes. "The big thing to understand in all of this is that it's not just a simple petty property crime ... there are victims. And these victims are typically families that are trying to put food on their table," Dawson said.
"One of the stores, in particular, this brought on so much anxiety that the shop owners were sleeping at the shop to try to protect their assets."
The stolen merchandise included high-value collectibles such as Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering cards—items that have exploded in market value in recent years, making them attractive targets for organized theft.
Eastridge Hit the Hardest
Eastridge Sports Cards and Games bore the brunt of the criminal spree, losing more than $72,000 worth of trading cards in a single devastating break-in on August 11, 2025. Police said three individuals used power tools to breach the store during that incident.
Months of Detective Work Pay Off
Investigators spent several months canvassing affected neighbourhoods and analyzing hundreds of hours of CCTV footage to identify patterns connecting the robberies. Their painstaking work ultimately led to the recovery of many stolen cards and the location of the stolen vehicles used in the crimes.
A 48-year-old Calgary man has been charged with one count of mischief to property under $5,000, three counts of disguise with intent, two counts of breaking and entering, and two counts of possession of stolen property.
A 63-year-old Calgary man faces one count of mischief to property under $5,000 and one count of disguise with intent.
Both men are scheduled to appear in Calgary court in June. Police say a third suspect remains at large and continue to seek information from the public.
This story is based on reporting by CBC Calgary. For the original article and ongoing coverage, visit CBC News Calgary.