Pokémon franchise reaches new milestone and bizarre chainsaw theft

The Pokémon franchise has recently hit impressive milestones, including selling more than 515 million games worldwide. At the same time, a bizarre incident took place in Florida, where a man was accused of stealing Pokémon cards with a chainsaw. This article covers both the franchise’s latest sales performance and the unusual crime that left Pokémon fans stunned.

Sales figures for the Pokémon franchise

The Pokémon franchise continues to maintain its momentum with strong sales numbers. According to recent statistics, the franchise has now sold more than 515 million games. That is up from 489 million last year. It shows that the Pokémon universe keeps growing not only through new releases, but also through the continued popularity of existing titles. Upcoming games such as Pokémon Winds and Waves, planned for 2027 on the Nintendo Switch 2, are expected to drive additional sales.

Another major part of the franchise is the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). Total Pokémon TCG card production has now surpassed 85 billion, an increase of 10 billion cards in a single year. This highlights not only the massive popularity of the Pokémon TCG, but also the lasting interest in collectibles within the Pokémon community.

Bizarre chainsaw theft

On May 21, 2026, a bizarre break-in took place at a Pokémon card store, Collection Realm, located in Lake Park, Florida. Clayton Warren, a 33-year-old man, was arrested after allegedly using a chainsaw to break into the store. The total value of the stolen cards is estimated at around $12,000. The break-in stood out because Warren initially tried to smash a window with a rock, but failed due to the store’s reinforced, hurricane-resistant glass.

After that first attempt failed, Warren used the chainsaw to gain access to the store. The theft was captured on surveillance video, which led to his arrest. He was charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure and theft of property valued at more than $10,000 but less than $20,000.

Impact on the Pokémon community

This break-in is just one of many incidents that have cast a shadow over the world of Pokémon cards. The rising number of Pokémon card thefts points to growing market pressure in the collectibles space. The appeal of the Pokémon TCG is fueled by scarcity and high demand, which has also encouraged crime around the hobby.

The Lake Park incident is not isolated; there have been other cases, such as an armed robbery in Manhattan earlier this year, where $100,000 worth of stock was stolen. When that theft took place, customers and staff were even held under duress. These events make it clear that the Pokémon card collecting market can be both valuable and risky.

The latest Pokémon franchise statistics, combined with the shocking theft, highlight both Pokémon’s lasting impact on the gaming world and the risks that come with collecting these valuable cards. The future of the franchise looks promising, despite the challenges it faces in the collectibles community.