A West Palm Beach man is facing burglary and theft charges after authorities say he used a battery-powered chainsaw to break into a Florida collectibles shop and walk away with roughly $12,000 worth of Pokémon cards.
Clayton Warren, 33, was arrested following an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office after the owner of Collection Realm in Lake Park reported an overnight break-in on May 21. Surveillance footage captured the suspect first attempting to smash the hurricane-proof front window with a rock before switching to a chainsaw, which he used to cut a triangular opening in the reinforced glass.
Surveillance Video and a License Plate Reader Led to Arrest
The break-in left more than broken glass behind — investigators also recovered blood at the scene. Store surveillance showed a man matching Warren’s description had visited Collection Realm two days before the burglary, on May 19, suggesting the theft may have been planned in advance.
The store owner reviewed the footage and estimated the stolen merchandise — a combination of individually sleeved cards and bulk bonus cards — totaled approximately $12,000 in value.
Law enforcement used a license plate reader to identify and track a vehicle captured on surveillance cameras near the scene. That vehicle was registered to a West Palm Beach address. A search warrant was executed at the residence, and Warren was taken into custody there.
Charges Filed; Investigation Continues
Warren now faces charges of burglary of an unoccupied structure and grand theft in the amount greater than $10,000 but less than $20,000. Both are felony-level offenses under Florida law.
The case highlights the growing secondary market value of collectible trading cards, which has made hobby shops and trading card retailers increasingly attractive targets for theft in recent years. High-value Pokémon cards — particularly rare or graded specimens — can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars individually, making a single store display case worth a significant sum.
While this incident occurred in Florida, property crimes targeting retail businesses remain a concern across the country, including here in Southeast Idaho. Local law enforcement agencies have encouraged business owners to ensure surveillance systems are properly maintained and that alarm systems are active — particularly for establishments carrying high-value inventory. Residents can review recent local incidents as a reminder that property crimes can strike any type of business at any time.
What Comes Next
Warren remains in the custody of Palm Beach County authorities as the case proceeds through the Florida court system. Additional charges or findings could emerge as investigators continue reviewing evidence. The status of the stolen Pokémon cards — and whether any have been recovered — had not been publicly confirmed at the time of reporting.