A game shop in Colton, California, was targeted Saturday in a daring robbery that took a dangerous turn when a hooded thief pulled out a gun.
The incident occurred at Into the RetroVerse, a gaming store in San Bernardino County, where employees faced off with the robber in a bid to protect the store's merchandise, the Daily Mail reported.
'Bald Bandit' Pulls Gun in Violent Pokémon Card Heist
The thief, described as a "bald bandit," entered the store with intentions to loot Pokémon cards.
The employees quickly intervened and tried to thwart the theft. However, things escalated rapidly as the confrontation turned physical, with employees managing to throw the robber to the ground at one point.
After a struggle during which the robber was tackled to the ground, he pulled out a gun, aimed it at one of the trio, and ordered them to release him.
The robber's aggressive behavior continued as he threatened and insulted the staff, demanding their phones as they lay on the floor.
Third Robbery at Into the RetroVerse Ends Violently
Despite the employees' efforts, the thief managed to escape with an estimated $3,000 to $5,000 worth of Pokémon cards.
This marked the third robbery at Into the RetroVerse in recent months, with previous incidents occurring on November 6 and Thanksgiving Day.
Jovanne Bernal, the shop owner, expressed his frustration and concern about the recurring thefts, especially the violent turn this last one took.
"What if there had been other customers in here during that time? We're a video game/card shop," Bernal said, as reported by ABC 7. "What if there had been a family when this man came and did that? What if a child had been hurt?"
The Colton Police Department is actively investigating the case, treating it as a potential felony armed robbery.
The store's owners hope that the surveillance footage will aid in identifying the suspect and prevent further occurrences.
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