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Laval Police Arrest Teenagers in Violent Pokémon Card Robberies

The arrests highlight a growing trend of organized, forceful thefts of high‑value trading cards that has police across Canada issuing new safety warnings.

This photograph shows displayed collectible cards from the Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) at an amateur collector's apartment in Paris on March 11, 2026.
Co-owner of trading card store Team Collectors, Max Wong displays cards from a showcase in Richmond B.C., on Monday, March 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Overview

  • Laval police arrested ten youths aged 16 to 18 in two enforcement actions carried out on June 9 and June 11, 2026, linking them to several armed robberies of sellers.
  • Investigators say suspects posed as buyers on Facebook Marketplace, arranged public meetups and used violence, including what appears to be pepper spray, to steal Pokémon cards and MacBooks.
  • Officers reported at least 30 thefts tied to Pokémon cards since Jan. 1, 2025, with 11 incidents recorded since March 1, 2026, and at least seven reported attacks involving violence.
  • The arrested youths face multiple charges such as armed robbery, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, assault, and possession and trafficking of property obtained by crime.
  • On June 18 police released three incident videos and issued clear safety advice for sellers — verify buyer accounts, avoid meeting alone, keep transaction records and choose secure, public locations — as similar thefts have been reported in several Canadian cities.