A California toy store fell victim to a daring burglary this week, with thieves making off with an estimated $30,000 worth of highly sought-after Labubu collectible dolls. The unusual crime took place in the early hours of the morning, leaving the shop owners stunned by the precision of the theft.
Security footage shows four masked individuals smashing their way into One Stop Sales, a recently opened store in La Puente, around 1:30 a.m. Instead of taking cash or electronics, the burglars focused solely on the store’s inventory of Labubu dolls, quickly loading armfuls into bags before fleeing in a stolen Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle was later recovered by authorities.
Store co-owner Joanna Avendano said she witnessed the burglary in real time through her security camera app but was unable to stop it. She believes the heist was carefully planned, noting that a suspicious vehicle had been spotted near the store the previous night. The timing also coincided with the store’s announcement of a new shipment of the dolls, which are currently a global craze.
Labubu dolls, designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, have surged in popularity thanks to celebrity endorsements and limited availability. Some rare versions have fetched prices exceeding $100,000 in the resale market, making them an attractive target for thieves.
Initially, police estimated the stolen goods to be worth around $7,000, but Avendano believes the real value, based on market prices, is closer to $30,000. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the case, while the store owners are appealing to the public for any information that might lead to the recovery of their merchandise.
The incident highlights the growing trend of thieves targeting collectible items with high resale value, turning toys into lucrative criminal prizes.
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