Aichi Prefectural Police in Japan have detained four individuals suspected of carrying out a high-value break-in at a residential apartment in Nagoya earlier this year, where they allegedly stole a large collection of valuable trading cards.

The incident occurred on January 13 in the city’s Midori Ward. According to authorities, the group targeted the home of a man in his 20s while he was out.

They reportedly gained entry by smashing a window around 10:30 a.m. and proceeded to take roughly 160,000 yen in cash along with approximately 786 items, primarily consisting of Pokémon and One Piece trading cards.

The total estimated value of the stolen goods reached about 12 million yen (roughly $80,000 USD at current exchange rates).

Police noted that many of the Pokémon cards hold significant collector value, with individual rare pieces fetching hundreds of thousands of yen on the secondary market.

One of the arrested men has been identified as 29-year-old Shoki Sakano, who has no fixed address or known occupation. Details about the other three suspects have not been publicly released at this time.

Investigators have not confirmed whether any of the men have admitted involvement in the burglary.

Trading cards, especially from popular franchises like Pokémon, have become prime targets for thieves in Japan in recent years due to their rising resale value and portability.

This case highlights the growing black-market demand for rare collectibles, which can sometimes rival the price of luxury goods.

The arrests were reported on June 23, with the story gaining attention for the sheer volume and value of the stolen items from a single residence.

Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the operation and any potential connections to other similar crimes.

This incident serves as a reminder for collectors to take extra precautions with high-value items, such as installing security systems and avoiding public displays of rare collections online.